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OCTAVIA’S PRIDE; 


OR, 


THE MISSING WITNESS. 


BY 


CHARLES T. MANNERS. 


NEW YORK: 

STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 

3i Rose Htreet. 


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1888, 

By Steeet & Smith, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. CL 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE 


CHAPTER I. 

WHAT SHALL HE SAY ? 

Captain Lodovico Leyard was sitting in the after cabin 
of the stanch East Indiaman, Sea Foam, which goodly ves- 
sel was still lying in the dock, but had received her last 
consignment of cargo, and would, when the tide changed, 
haul out and drop down into the river, with her white 
wings stirring restlessly, impatient for the propitious, wind 
that should bear her away -into the ocean. 

The skipper of the Sea Foam, for all that the lading and 
stowing of cargo had gone on smoothly, and was haply well 
ended, looked dispirited and dreary. The light of a pair 
of candles, burning cheerily, showed the care-marked face 
of a man of fifty odd years, with eyes downcast, and mouth 
more sad than stern. One hand supported his head, and 
the other held listlessly a pencil, with which he had been 
figuring at a small account-book, lying open upon the table 
before him. It was quite evident that Captain Leyard had 
troubles of his own; and the jolly shipmasters who hailed 
his arrival in Calcutta, or Manilla, or Canton, as an especial 
addition to a circle of ^^good fellows well hiet,^^ would 
scarcely have recognized this forlorn personage in the Sea 
Eoam^s cabin, as their hearty, hilarious comrade, under a 
punka, and over curried chicken and mangosteen. 


^CTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


I 

Captain Lo, as he was familiarly known, was, indeed, in 
that dreary mood which, at one stage or another, from 
widely varying causes, we all some time know, when it be- 
comes a serious question whether or not this life of ours is at 
all satisfactory, or worth having. 

It seemed a very insignificant trifle to him that the Sea 
Foam was a good sailer, a stanch A No. 1, that many a 
good seaman would have been overjoyed to command; 
although sometimes the very remembrance was enough to 
make him break out into a joyous whistle. There was little 
comfort in his consciousness of his own seaman^s reputation, 
which long years of good fortune, with few disasters, had 
established securely. With human ingratitude he forgot 
what a rich blessing was that, strong frame of his — its sound 
health, its exquisite harmony of thought and action. 

^^It is hard luck — confounded hard luck!^^ muttered 
Captain Lo, springing up from his seat, and beginning to 
pace the little cabin, after all my years at sea, to be 
wanting this miserable sum of money at just this time; to 
know that ruin and disgrace will come if I do not have it; 
and to be without a single sail to set, to catch a puff of- 
wind to take me ofi the breakers 

And here the skipper of the Sea Foam threw down the 
pencil with an angry flirt. 

It^s no use to try to figure up possibilities. The owners 
will advance half the voyage money, biit it will take all that 
to keep the folks at home from starving. A bed-ridden wife, 
and six children! Theyfll do well to live on that much. 
If I had only known that banker was such a cheat and vil- 
lain, I might have saved more when I was in port, and been 
more careful; but I thought there was sure to be a full 
locker at home, and I never dreamed that the investment 
was not secure, nor that poor Molly was to give out so be- 
fore her time. And that lad of mine. I was so proud of 
him, and would have trusted him with the crown jewels, to 


, OCTAVIA^S PBirE, 


5 


think that if something isn^t done, they may take him off 
to prison! Shiver my timbers, if it isn^t enough to make a 
man long to cast off anchor altogether 

And again Captain Lo went tearing across the cabin 
floor. 

At that moment he heard a hail from the wharf. Some 
sort of interrogation to which the officer on deck gave an 
affirmative answer, and an instant after struggling feet 
sounded above his head, and after them came a quick, light 
tread which, although it was not familiar, yet caused Cap- 
tain Lo to lift his drooping head and listen attentively, it 
was so evident that a person of gentle breeding, of aristo- 
cratic culture, was approaching. For the step of a man 
has as much expression as his face. 

The cabin-boy knocked at the inner door. 

A gentleman to see you, sir. A gentleman from the 
shore. 

The visitor entered, and the cabin-boy retreated, closing 
the door behind him. 

Captain Lo brought forward his easy-chair, and bowed 
courteously, while he examined the new-comer curiously. 
Which examination, however, gave little satisfaction, ex- 
cept that it assured the captain of the Sea Foam, that it 
was some one palpably disguised, who did not choose to be 
recognized, or hereafter identifled. A long loose cloak of 
blue cloth, with sleeves that half concealed the hands, 
enveloped his person; a blue cap, with rolling sides and 
long visor, covered half the forehead, *and a large pair of 
whiskers and long mustache, both of which. Captain 
Leyard's keen eye soon settled, were false and put on for the 
occasion, aided in hiding the rest of the face. ‘ 

You wish to see me,^^ said Captain Leyard, half resent- 
fully, for the sudden suggestion had occurred that the man 
had some connection with his son^s defalcation in the busi- 


6 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE. 


ness office where he was employed. I do not recognize 
you^ and you have not given me your name.'’^ 

You cannot well recognize one upon whom you have 
never looked before/^ answered the stranger^ coolly, while 
betook the proffered chair, ^^and it does not matter about 
the name of a person whom you will not be likely to meet 
again. 

Captain Lo bowed a little stiffly. 

It is your matter more than mine,^^ he said; ^^but I am 
at a loss to know why you have come on board the Sea Foam 
at this late hour.^^ 

I have a business proposition to lay before you. I will 
put it in your way to make five hundred pounds with very 
little trouble to yourself, and if you agree to it, I will ad- 
vance at once two hundred and fifty pounds, and the rest 
shall be put into your hands the hour you sail. I come 
prepared to give you the sum in gold to-night. 

^^Two hundred and fifty pounds to-night!^^ ejaculated 
Captain Lo, in a tone which betrayed what salvation the 
sum insured. 

A grim smile curled the lips under the bushy mustache. 

Five hundred rather, and the whole can be yours to- 
night, if you insist. 

What do you want of me?^^ was Captain Lo^s brusque 
demand. 

very simple thing. I want you to take a passenger 
in the Sea Foam whose name shall not appear on the Shipp’s 
papers, who will not be received on board until the anchor 
is lifted.'’^ 

Captain Lo drew a long breath. 

That is an easy matter. The owners are indulgent and 
liberal. I might take my whole family if I chose. They 
leave all such matters to me.'"" 

‘^x\nd it is not a small one, that family of yours, ob- 
served the stranger, with another of those peculiar smiles. 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDK 


7 


How do you know? I thought you said I was a stranger 
to you/^ 

Possibly; and yet your circumstances and antecedents 
might be soon discovered by one who looked into the 
matter. Understand me. Captain Leyard. I have selected 
you as the man calculated to serve me honorably and with 
ability in this matter, and I have quietly investigated into 
your affairs to make sure how I could offer you attractive 
inducements to accept my proposition. I know that your 
little investment at Wiley & Co^s has melted away in that 
rascally affair of theirs; that your wife is bed-ridden, your 
children an expensive burden, and, worst of all, that the 
fine young lad, your son, has, very naturally and pardonably 
under the circumstances, yielded to the temptation to retain 
some of the money passing through his hands in his em- 
ployer's business, and that there is great danger of discovery 
and arrest. How I bring you a safe and complete antidote 
for all these evils. Two hundred and fifty pounds will 
restore the sum purloined, and your son, taught by the 
lesson to be strictly honest, will retain his goo(F name and 
his position. The other two hundred and fifty will give 
your family the comforts they need and all you desire for 
them.^^ 

^‘1 think, exclaimed Captain Lo, wiping off the big 
drops which gathered on his forehead — blast me if I donT 
think you are the Evil One himself ! You know how to 
tempt a man so terribly.'’^ 

A low, musical laugh rippled out from the heavy mus- 
tache and whiskers. 

^‘^Hot so fast, my good friend, my worthy skipper. I 
assure you I am hoofiess.^^ And as he spoke he thrust forth 
a slender foot, clad in an elegant French boot, another sign 
of aristocratic antecedents, of which Captain Lo was duly 
cognizant. 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


g: 

Who is this passenger? An escaped prisoner — a refugee 
from justice?"^ 

On the^ontrary, an exceedingly quiet and humble and 
unknown individual. You are perfectly safe, sir. The law 
cannot touch you in the matter. I engage passage to-night 
for a person, and you accept my terms. If the person is 
brought hither unconscious of the transaction, that is my 
responsibility, and I risk the penalty. You see that I ac- 
cept it, and I further put it out of your power to compro- 
mise me, or to be injured yourself^ by keeping myself un- 
known to -you.^^ 

Then my passenger is an unwilling one?"^ demanded 
the master of the Sea Foam, a little uneasy still. 

I cannot say whether the voyage will be agreeable or 
not, because it is precisely this: you see, where I am safe to 
be frank, I am gladly so. The person will be entirely un- 
conscious of the proposed change; will drink some drugged 
. coffee, go to- sleep, and waken on board the Sea Foam, 
standing well out to sea.'^^ 

Bless my stars! This is exceedingly strange 1^^ ejacu- 
lated Captain Lo, mopping away again at his forehead. 

It is an adventure rather out of the common line, I ad- 
mit, was the calm rejoinder, in those musically modulated 
tones. 

And the speaker rubbed his hands together, whether 
nervously or contentedly, could scarcely be determined. 
The movement, however, disturbed the loose sleeve of the 
cloak, and revealed more than had hitherto been allowed. 
Captain Lo^s lynx eye caught the glitter of a seal ring, and 
half mastered the coat of arms carved upon it. The 
stranger noticed his observant eye, glanced down at the 
slender, delicately white hands, and, biting his lips in vexa- 
tion, he slipped off the ring hastily, and dropped it into 
the cloak-pocket. 

It is the wisest thing for you to look in the opposite 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


9 


direction/^ said he, a little angrily. If any trouble comes 
out of this affair from the shore, I presume you won^t care 
to be dragged into it.^"" 

Captain Lo sighed lugubriously. 

If I could be assured there was no wrong about it,^^ he 
began, and then, suddenly struck by a new idea, he asked, 
anxiously: But what am I to do with the passenger when 

I arrive in port?^^ 

I have been waiting for you to make such an inquiry, 
was the composed reply, Your passenger is not to arrive 
at all in the port. 

You ask me to commit murder? Begone, sir. lam 
not a tool for such a deedT^ vociferated the master of the 
Sea Foam. 

Now again you jump at your own conclusions. I do 
not intend that any harm shall come to your passenger — 
who will enjoy a very romantic and novel experience. Un- 
derstand me: this person for a little time will be in my way; 
of course it is so, or I should not take all this pains and 
expense to get up an impromptu voyage for the personas ex- 
press benefit. I mean to have a clear path for the time I 
desire, and if you do not consent, I can find plenty less 
scrupulous shipmasters who will; but when I can, I prefer 
to deal with an honorable man. Besides, I thought my 
five hundred pounds would do most good in your case. If 
you decline the business, I may as well spare the waste of 
time and words. 

He rose as he spoke, and made a movement toward the 
door. 

Poor, perturbed, half-distracted Captain Lo stretched 
out his hands. 

Stay; if I can be assured the passenger is to come to no 
harm, I will consent. 

I have already given that assurance, returned his mys- 
terious visitor, haughtily. ^^I am no murderer, manP 


10 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


It was Captain Leyard^s turn to speak coaxingly and 
meekly. What if he had lost this wonderful chance to ex- 
tricate himself from his troubles 

Will you be good enough to give me a clear satement of 
what you require? I promise not to interrupt you again, 
he said. 

The stranger condescended to resume his seat. 

Bring me your charts of the N. and S. Atlantic/^ said 
he. I want to see the course you expect to make.^^ 

The skipper opened his chart- box, and spread out the de- 
sired maps upon the table. 

The courses of previous voyages were marked out upon it 
in pencil. The unknown visitor followed them with in- 
terest. 

Presently he put his finger upon a little island below the 
equator, a tiny speck in the great space around it. 

See!'’^ said he, "That little island of Trinidad. Do you 
know anything about it?^^ 

""Not much. I was never there, though, on the home- 
ward voyage, I almost always make it out. It is only a few 
miles of land, and uninhabited.'’^ 

""Exactly. I suppose if you were a whaler you would 
know more about it. I am told its water is remarkably 
pure, and that the whaling ships take pains to fill up their 
barrels there, and make frequent visits to the tiny oasis. It 
is in a tropic climate, so there can he no suffering from the 
inclemency of the weather. Besides, an old sailor told me 
he helped to build a comfortable little hut, and planted such 
of our vegetables as would thrive. It is a most eligible site. 
Captain Leyard, your passenger is booked for Trinidad. 

The captain opened his eyes, but had grown wise enough 
to bridle his tongue. 

""Well, sir, of course that person is willing, was all he 
said. 

"" My dear captain, I thought I had made you understand 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


11 


that the personas desires and opinions are not to be con- 
sidered. Yon are not the man I take you to be, if you 
cannot invent an excuse to go a little out of your track to 
visit Trinidad, and having anchored otf the island, surely 
common curiosity will induce your passenger to go ashore, 
and you may manage, as you choose,, to make it seem an 
accident, or deliberate purpose, but your boat must slip 
back to the ship, and leave the passenger to a few weeks^, or 
days^, solitude, whichever the case may be. You can see 
for yourself that no real harm is intended. I would recom- 
mend you to leave, accidentally, a bag of provisions, and a 
few books which I will send aboard, with a trunk of wearing 
apparel for your passenger. Kow, sir, will you give me 
your word of honor to do this thing, because I am willing 
to abide by that, though I have taken pains to secure the 
proofs of this little affair of your son% to hold as security 
to fulfill your part of the contract 

Yes; I will do it,^^ said Captain Lo. 

Very well. Now let us talk about the rest. Your pas- 
senger will naturally be surprised and disturbed upon dis- 
covering that this voyage has been so unconsciously under- 
taken, and will demand of you an explanation. What are 
you going to say?^^ 

^^Upon my word, I donT know what I could say, re- 
plied the skipper, frankly. 

I will tell you, then. You are just to tell the truth, 
although not exactly the whole truth. Answer frankly that 
it is all a puzzle. Say that a stranger — you can describe 
what you see — came and engaged and paid for a passage, 
and that you received what came, and know no further. 

^‘1 will do it,^^ repeated the captain of the Sea Foam, 
nodding his head energetically, and feeling his heart lighten 
as he heard the chink of the gold in the bag the stranger 
drew forth.'’" 

Perform your part faithfully, and the matter for you 


12 


OCT AVI AS PBIDE. 


ends here. Though you met me face to face to-morrow, 
you would not recognize niC. You will find it impossible 
to track me out. But you will have the money, and your 
hoy will be saved. Fail me, or seek in any way to circum- 
vent this project, after you sail from London, and be sure 
my vengeance will find you out.'’^ 

I shall not fail you. I really see no great harm in the 
affair, answered Captain Lo. 

And now when do you sail? Are you cleared yet?'’’ 

We shall clear to-morrow, and go out into the river, and 
get down out to sea as speedily as possible.” 

The stranger was silent a moment, evidently meditating. 
Then he looked up, and gave Captain Lo the first full 
glimpse of a pair of pale blue eyes. He dropped them again 
quickly, as though aware that he had been imprudent. 

^^Well,” said he, ‘^1 will send you a note to-morrow 
morning, telling you at just what hour after dark, and at 
what point on the river below, you may expect a boat to 
bring you the passenger. You will be prepared to take as 
quickly as possible from the curious gaze of your crew the 
passenger you may call sick, but whom you will know to be 
under the effects of a powerful narcotic. And here is your 
five hundred dollars. I have concluded to give it all to you 
to-night, warning you that any withdrawl on your part will 
be promptly retaliated upon your son. And now I will take 
leave, wishing you a prosperous voyage and a safe riddance 
of your passenger. Good-night, sir.” 

Good-night,” answered Captain Lodovico, with the air 
of a man in a dream, and allowed his visitor to depart, as 
he had arrived, unattended to the wharf. 

He fell to counting the gold eagerly as soon as he turned 
the key in the cabin-door, and in an hour afterward, with 
the bag under his arm, the master of the Sea Foam pre- 
sented himself in the midst of his astonished and overjoyed 
family. The sorrowful disgrace of the family honor was 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDE. 


13 


covered over; the wrong repaired, and the rest of the family 
made comfortable by the replenishment of the collapsed 
purse. Captain Leyard said his good-by with a very much 
lightened heart, and went off to the Sea Foam hopefully, 
and, in the bustle and confusion of getting off, forgot his 
uneasy dread of the arrival on board to be expected when 
they were down at the mouth of the Thames. 

But as they neared the sea, it was noticeable how his 
jubilant spirits fell away. His officers wondered what it 
could mean, and when at last, in a hasty, confused way, he 
informed them there was to be a passenger, they said aside 
to each other: 

^^The old man is obliged to take somebody he doesnT 
like, and now we shall have him in a fret all the passage.'’^ 

One asked carelessly, as he turned away: 

^^It is a male passenger, of course, sir.^^ 

Thunder and blixen!^^ ejaculated the skipper of the Sea 
Foam, and that was all the answer they got. 

But Captain Lo began looking dismally around him as 
soon as he was gone. 

Is it a man? The Evil One is in it, if it is not. I never 
thought to ask, and I remember now there was nothing said 
for me to judge by. A ^person, a person; hang the person! 
What if it should be a woman? And Fve used his money 
and Fm bound to fulfill my part of the contract. I believe 
there were hoofs, after all, inside those French boots. 

He was not left long in doubt. 

Punctually, as soon as darkness and a drizzling mist con- 
cealed movements, they were hailed by a boat alongside, and 
Captain Leyard received from the stout arms of a man 
wrapped in an oil-skin coat, with a similar hood drawn 
almost over his face, a light, stirless figure, wrapped about 
in a heavy plaid shawl. 

Muttering a hasty and confused explanation to his first 
officer, who assisted in taking two heavy trunks on board. 


14 


OGTAVIAS PRIDE. 


that the passenger was sick, Captain Lo hurried, with his 
burden, to the state-room off his own, and hastily unwrapped 
the shawl. 

It was intense relief to catch the first glimpse of a black 
coat sleeve and a modest gray waistcoat; but when his eye 
came to the pale, set face. Captain Lo^s heart was deeply 
touched. It was so fair, and sweet, and innocent! Carved 
in marble, it would have passed for a perfect Ganymede, or 
Hyperion, or Narcissus. The hair curled in short, shiny, 
browny rings, from above the broad, full forehead; the long, 
silky eyelashes lying on the proud, pallid cheeks; and the 
wistful pout of the sweet lips had an expression in them 
which reminded Captain Lo of his own children, when, 
sometimes, on his home visits, he had hung entranced over 
their sleeping innocence. 

Bless my soul V’ muttered the captain, what an exceed- 
ingly handsome boy! What has he done, I wonder, to bring 
this about? I shall have to steel my heart to part with 
him, I fancy, much more to leave him alone on that lonely 
island. 

And, forgetting his affairs on deck, the tender-hearted 
seaman hung over the stirless figure, fascinated by its un- 
usual grace and beauty. 

The narcotic held its powerful sway, and a cannon, fired 
there in the little cabin, would not have roused the heavy 
sleeper. 

Captain Lo fixed the head more comfortably upon the 
pillow, tucked the hands (how small and elegantly formed 
they were) under the coverlet, and, closing the state-room 
door, went back to the deck reluctantly. 

The boat and its crew had already vanished into the dark- 
ness from which it had come. He saw the curious faces of 
his officers, and knew that some explanation was expected, 
if not necessary; but he kept moodily by himself. The five 
hundred pounds weighted down his conscience now with 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


15 


tenfold oppressiveness. And, when the boy woke up, this 
handsome, spiritual-looking boy, who had so unconsciously 
appealed to the tenderest sentiments of his nature, to find 
himself amid strangers, borne swiftly away to sea, what was 
he. Captain Lo Leyard, going to say to him? 


CHAPTER 11. 

BEGGAEY A]SrD KUIJST! 

Something like a week previous to that eventing, when 
the master of the Sea Foam was startled by his mysterious 
visitor's appearance, there was an affecting scene in a stately 
mansion, whose turreted roof and noble elms crowned so 
conspicuously, as to be seen miles away, one of the graceful 
Surrey hills. 

The soft evening air crept through the open windows of 
a sick-chamber, stirring the heavy brocade curtains into a 
rustle which seemed to mimic the whispering of the leaves 
on the mammoth limbs of the elms without, which, follow- 
ing the avenue, came at this wing almost to the house-steps. 

Ho cool touch came refreshingly to the fevered forehead 
of the sufferer who lay on the grand old couch, amid its 
purple and fine linen, tossing restlessly to and fro. The 
liurse — silent, but watchful and attentive — rose from her 
seat at the foot of the cumbrous carving of the old-style bed- 
stead, and came closer, as a deeper groan and an impatient 
ejaculation broke the stillness of the sick-room 

Ho you wish anything, sir?"^ she asked, in respectful and 
somewhat nervous tones. 

Of course I do. I wish a great deal,'’^ was the pettish 
reply. In the first place I wish this cursed pain, knawing 
and tearing at my vitals, to be sent off at once. And then 
I wish to be cool and comfortable, and you persist in keep- 


16 


OCT AVI A 8 PBIDE. 


ing me shut up and close. If that breeze could get in to 
me it would be a relief in itself. 

The nurse^ with a patient smile of resignation to the peev- 
ishness of an irritable nature^ as well as to the nervousness 
of illness, went to the windows and looped the damask dra- 
pery as far back as possible. And the sweet, cool air flut- 
tered the gray locks from the full, pallid forehead of the in- 
valid at its own fitful will. He raised himself on his elbow 
and looked out longingly. 

Carry off that light, said he, in a moment after, frown- 
ing a glance toward the little silver nurse-lamp, which shed 
a faint glare from the marble slab of the chimney-piece. 

It was removed, and the room left to the tender gloom of 
a star-lighted sky. 

The old man, chafing so .angrily against the decree which 
held him to a bed of sickness, sat up against pillows, sup- 
porting himself by one trembling arm, and stared out wildly, 
fiercely, yearningly. 

How beautiful it looked to him. The narrow glimpse of 
clear sky studded brightly with stars that shimmered and 
shone upon him with a solemn glory which startled and 
awed him, and the branching boughs of elms which stirred 
fearlessly at the lightest breath of the breeze. What a price- 
less inheritance it would be to be sent out again into this 
outward world with health and strength for his companions. 
How insignificant looked all other, possessions, however 
much he had hitherto prized them. 

General Geoffrey Wainwright, the stern, haughty old aris- 
tocrat, looking out from that sick-room, face to face with 
those solemn stars, felt all the boasted trappings of circum- 
stances, and station, and fortune dropping off from him; 
shuddered, writhed, agonized, but could not escape from 
seeing that at last he was only a naked soul, like that of the 
veriest plowman or beggar in the street, drifting — ah, so 
surely and swiftly with the ebbing tide — whither? 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


17 


He groaned again and fell back upon the pillow. 

Stern, haughty old man, though his heart was trembling 
in abject terror and horror, he betrayed nothing but his 
cold, hard tone, when he answered the nurse, who hurried 
forward anxiously. 

You are worse, sir. There is too much air for you, and 
you have caught a chill. Let me close the windows.'’^ 

Yes, shut them, and drop the curtains.'’^ 

He wanted to shut out those solemn, starry eyes looking 
down from the cloudless skies, but they looked upon him 
still. He could not throw off the remembrance even after 
the nurse brought back the light, and at his request bright- 
ened the wick. 

He tossed from side to side and groaned again. 

You had better have an opiate, sir,'’^ ventured the nurse. 
I suppose, but not yet, not until my daughter comes. 
It is surely time for the train to arrive. That idiot Thomas 
will drive as if to a funeral. Til be bound. Tell me the 
time now, Willis.,'’^ 

Half -past eight, sir.^"^ 

^^It must be a mistake. The watch has stopped. You 
told me it was eight two hours ago.-^^ 

It is all right, sir. The time seems long to you.'^^ 

And the nurse turned to the little table and began noise- 
lessly arranging the vials there. 

Long? Ay, longer than many a day has been,^^ he 
muttered, drearily, and yet what is left to me will slip off 
too soon.^^ 

Where is Felix he broke out again a moment after. 
At least he might come and talk to me.^^ 

^‘^He went with the carriage to meet Miss Wainwright, 
sir. You know you were tired when he came this afternoon, 
and wouldnT talk with him.^^ 

But that is no sign I couldnT talk with him this even- 
ing. Besides he began to talk business, and this law suit — 


18 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


curse it. I am sick enough thinking about it, without 
gossiping over it like an old worn an, he muttered, queru- 
lously, plaiting the linen sheet in his thin, blue fingers. 

Mrs. Willis opened her eyes a little. 

General Wainwright had never forgotten himself quite so 
much before, as to give her a hint of the cause of his mental 
disquiet. She had heard something about a law suit just 
entered in the courts, Middleton vs. Wainwright,^' but 
being a stranger in that part of the country, she had not 
interested herself enough to inquire into the case. She said 
to herself when the generahs valet came to relieve her for 
the night, she would ask the housekeeper for an explana-^ 
tion. 

J ust then there came to the chamber the sound of wheels 
crunching along the graveled avenue. 

Octavia has come!'’^ cried out the invalid, in an eager, 
brightened tone. ‘'‘'Send her to me at once.^^ 

Mrs. Willis gave the order through the speaking-tube, 
and came back to the bedside. 

Another light, AVillis,^'’ continued the general, in a still 
more animated voice. ^^Have it bright and pleasent as 
possible when Miss Wainwright comes here. Remember 
this is an order, not for this time alone, but for that when 
I can no longer give directions, if such should ever be the 
case. Always have it as cheerful as possible when my beau- 
tiful Octavia comes to see her sick father. Bring in those 
flowers from the dressing-room, and see if my hair is tum- 
bled. 

You would have almost fancied by the eagerness of his 
looks that it was a lady-love instead of his daughter who 
was coming to see him. A warm smile kindled on the hag- 
gard face as he heard the light but firm step crossing the 
corridor. He stretched out both hands as the door swung 
open, and Miss Wainwright, with a step which was queenly 


0GTAVIA8 PBIBE, 


19 


in its tread, came gracefully across the carpet to the bed- 
side. 

^^Octavia, my darling!^^ 

Dear father, I hope you are comfortable to-night and 
bending from her stately height, she put two shapely white 
hands into his. 

She was a large but admirably proportioned woman, this 
Octavia Wainwright, with a dazzling complexion, pearly 
white and soft pink blending so exquisitely as to defy the 
imitation of art. Her hair, of which there seemed so luxu- 
riant a mass it almost looked too weighty for the classical 
head, was of a pale hue, neither brown nor red, nor yet, as 
the poets tell, of spun gold; but when the light glanced 
across it, it seemed to imprison myriad sunbeams whose 
gleaming beauty was rarer than that of gold. The features 
were regular, but might have seemed heavy accompanied by 
any other figure. Upon hers the face, with its large, grave 
eyes whose blue was scarcely so deep as that of the violet, and 
its singularily vivid scarlet lips, seemed the only proper and 
possible complement. She was called everywhere a magnif- 
icent woman; no one ever questioned her right to reign 
queen and belle wherever she chose to venture. That this 
grand and stately creature should be the idol of General 
Wainwright^s heart was scarcely strange, nor could any one 
marvel that he was ready to lavish upon her every luxury 
and costly adornment which lay within his power. 

^^My darling said he again, fondling the white hands 
which rested in his, it has seemed so long to me while you 
were away. I hoped that you would arrive at noon.^^ 

I could not help it, dear papa. Those tiresome lawyers 
kept me.'’^ 

^^What! Screw & Scattergood? Did they send for you? 
I did not know that.^^ 

There was again a gloomy cloud on his forehead, an un- 
easy gleam of his eye. 


20 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


Octavia glanced lightly toward the nurse, and went over 
to the table where she stood, asking in a low voice: 

'‘^How do you find your patient to-night, Mrs. Willis? 
Has it been a comfortable day?^^ 

Tolerably so. Miss Wain wright; rather restless toward 
night, though. I think he had better have an opiate to- 
night.^^ 

I should judge so. How you may go out a few mo- 
ments, giving Philippe his directions for the night. I will 
remain with my father until you return. 

This was said, not in a haughty or imperious way, but 
still in a voice that Mrs. Willis would no more have ven- 
tured to dispute than she wbuld have disobeyed a mandate 
from the queen. 

And so the sick-room was left to the father and daughter. 
Miss Wain wright shook out the folds of her dress, which 
was made of some glossy gray fabric, turned around the 
vase of flowers brought to the stand especially for her visit, 
and then sank softly into the chair close to the bedside. 

The sick man watched her uneasily. 

You have something to say to me, Octavia. ’ Some dis- 
agreeable thing from those lawyers. Ho not be afraid, dar- 
ling, to speak plainly. 

Well, really, dear papa, I suppose I ought to tell you, but 
I do not want to disturb your mind. However, Willis says 
you must have an opiate anyway, and that will calm you 
shortly if you get excited. My summons this morning came 
from Screw & Scattergood, and of course concerned this 
odious law suit.^^ 

She paused, glancing questioningly info his face. He bit 
his lips impatiently, but otherwise kept his composure. 

Middleton vs. Wain wright. Yes, concerning this ac- 
cursed law suit; go on, Octavia,^'’ muttered he. 

You see they did not like to come to you for advice, 
now you are ill, and a new development is disturbing them/^ 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 21 

General AVainwright caught his breath in a stifled sort of 
gasp. 

new development! Confound their stupidity! It 
was their business to prevent any new developments. I gave 
them instructions for all exigencies^ and put them in posses- 
sion of all the facts. What business had they to trouble 
you, a lady, with this insolent suit of those beggarly Mid- 
dletons?^^ 

Dear papa, you mustn^t abuse the lawyers. They wrote 
asking me if it was safe to trouble you, and I told them no, 
it must not be done on any account. Then they wrote 
again, asking if I had .any confidential family adviser, and 
I consulted with Felix, and concluded to go myself and try 
to have sense enough to understand these troublesome law 
matters. And I have had this long interview with them to- 
day, and am almost as much perplexed as they. So, after 
all, you see we must come to you.-’^ 

Well, well, I am sorry you have meddled with it. You 
ought to be spared the very thought of such perplexities, 
my beautiful Octavia.'’^ 

She shook her head with a slow, grave smile on the vividly 
crimson lips. 

l^ay, papa, you do not quite understand me, for all you 
love me so. I am not a doll to be shielded from exposure 
lest my graces shall be ruined. I am more like yourself. I 
have strength, energy, ability to act promptly and fearlessly 
if an emergency comes. I think now that I have mastered 
this case as well as Felix has done. And some day I shall 
scold you that cheated me into believing it a trivial affair. 

I think I should make a very decent lawyer.-’^ 

You are capable of anything you undertake, answered 
he, fondly. never doubted that, my Octavia.'’^ 

^^Papa,^"* said 'Miss AYainwright, taking one of his chilly 
hands into her softf warm clasp, but fixing those wide, blue 


22 


OGTAVIAS PBIDS. 


eyes penetratingly upon his face, ^^did you ever hear of 
such a person as Gustavus Wainright?^^ 

Despite his best efforts to appear cool and unembarrassed 
before this idol of his heart, the general’s jaw dropped, and 
the voice which answered faltered miserably. 

Certainly, Octavia; he was my father’s cousin. He 
died when a young man, out in India, in her majesty’s 
service.” 

^^Your father’s cousin, the elder brother’s son?” ques- 
tioned the beautiful Octavia, the lustrous eyes still keen and 
watchful of every change in his face. 

Yes, I believe so. I think his father was the elder; 
but what matter since he died a young man without 
family?” 

Had he lived he would have received all this great 
property of ours,” continued Octavia, musingly. Your 
father would have remained poor, and you would have been 
poor now, and I — a poor man’s poorer daughter.” 

A shudder ran through the stately frame. 

But it did not happen so. He did not live,” said the 
general, in as impatiant a voice as he ever used to her. 

So Screw & Scattergood assured me, but it seems the 
Middletons affirm that he did not die without heirs. They 
claim to be of his direct descent.” 

The Middletons are arrant cheats, and brazen impos- 
tors,” exclaimed the general, fiercely, rising up from his 
pillow with a sullen glow on his face, and then falling back 
with a stified groan. I will fight them, inch by inch.” 

What an endless amount of time and search has been 
given to this affair! I had no idea it was so laborious a life, 
that of a detective. Mr. Scattergood showed me the result 
of so many months searching. It quite turned my head to 
try to follow the facts eliminated — marriages recorded here, 
births there, deaths in another place, and Ihe curious way 
that members of obscure families drift away and are lost 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


23 


eight of,” pursued Miss Wain wriuht, in the same meditative 
tone of voice. 

The sick man turned uneasily upon his pillow. She 
stroked his hand with those light, caressing fingers of hers. 

have been going over the whole history. I looked 
through that yellow package of letters, and the note-books, 
and as I came along in the railway carriage, I made out such 
a story as will always stay by me. See if I am right about 
it, papa. I would like you to set me right, if I have taken 
any wrong impressions. Lie down on the pillow — ^there, 
get an easy posture and let me have your hand. Dear papa, 
you must take some of the coolness from mine into those 
dry, hot fingers. Now, shall I commence?” 

He turned his face so that he could feast his eyes upon 
her animated countenance, and with a sigh of forced con- 
tent, resigned himself to listen. 

The same stately composure was in her demeanor that 

graced it when she was presented at the Duchess of G ^s 

latest reception. A slow smile quivered across the full red 
lips. The pale blue eyes deepened beneath their glow of 
kindling interest. • 

I shall begin, like the story-makers. Once upon a time 
in Hartfordshire, papa, there was a strange, fierce-tempered, 
but somehow singularly fascinating man. (You know how 
I have always hung admiringly over his portrait in the old 
gallery my beau-ideal of a hero, who would have ability, to 
command as well as charm me.) And this dark, wild man 
fell in love with a little blue-eyed girl, sweet ahd fair as a 
violet and quite as frail. A little girl, who, of course, had 
other lovers, in fact she was already engaged when he found 
her. But what account was that to one of his vehement, 
imperious nature? Of course he won her away and married 
her, laughing to scorn the discarded lover^s threat of 
vengeance. But the malediction seemed to work. The 
young wife died when her boy-babe opened to the light a 


24 


0CTAVIA*8 PRIDE. 


pair of eyes, dark, and as full of unfathomable splendors as 
his father^s. And the bereaved husband, like a fierce, wild 
animal hiding in his lair, shut himself out from the world, 
and devoted himself to his child, pouring out upon him all 
the passionate love of his heart. They seem to have loved 
each other with the tender devotion of women, and one 
would judge also with something of a woman^s jealousy. I 
read so-me of those letters with the tears dripping over my 
cheeks, for all I sat in that musty old office of Screw & 
Scattergood. They were so pathetic and touching. Now, 
that fierce, furious old man was bound up in the life of the 
young Jfellow at college, living his joys over at home, and 
fiercely resenting the smallest annoyance that assailed him. 
And the son seemed to enjoy so much, telling over his cheer- 
ing stories, to brighten the dreariness of that secluded home. 
Alack, my father, it preaches more than many a pulpit ser- 
mon, this going over letters of dead and gone families, and 
sifting out their story 

Octavia^s luminous eyes were softened by a little vail of 
mist. She bent down and touched her red lips to the thin 
hand she held. • 

^"Dear father, how dreadful it would be if you and I, 
who love each other as devotedly as they seemed to do, 
should, like young Arthur and old Hugh Wainwright, fall 
into such a deadly quarrel.'’^ 

^^My precious one, my pride, my joy cried out the gen- 
eral, that would be impossible. Is there anything I would 
deny you it it lay in my power to give it?^^ 

I judge not; you have always been too lavish, you gen- 
erous papa. But this Wainwright pride is an inexorable 
master. Young Arthur must have inherited his mother^’s 
gentle nature, or he would never have contemplated that 
mesalliance which turned his father^s love to gall. Was 
there ever anything so stern and cutting as that letter of 
dismissal, wherein Hugh Wainright pronounces his bitter 


OCT AVI AS FEIDE. 


25 


curse upon the son he has loved so much? I do not won- f 
der it drove poor Arthur across the seas to die of a broken 
heart, hiding from all the world his name and lineage. And 
yet I could read, by every line, that the old father^’s heart 
also was pierced through and through, and what he thought 
was stony impassiveness, must have been only the stunned 
insensibility of the first shock. 

There was a long, quivering sigh from the generaFs pil- 
low. 

Miss Wainwright looked at him anxiously. 

am tiring you,'’^ said she. must hasten to be 

through my story. Old Hugh Wainwright disinherited his 
son, and hunted up his nearest relatives to look for an heir 
to his vast and increasing possessions. There was one George 
Wainwright, a second cousin, who had two sons, Gustavus 
and Geoffrey, likely lads both of them, so old Hugh's will 
declares. To the elder of these he bequeathed his whole 
property; but, in c^se of this Gustavus^ death before the 
decease of the testator, the same was to descend to Geoffrey 
Wainwright, the brother of Gustavus. The heart of old 
Hugh must have been sore; for he would not have these 
young men near him, and carefully concealed fiom them 
the nature of his will. This accounts for the journey of 
Gustavus, who seemed to be of a roving disposition, for he 
strayed off presently to India, and thence to Australia. So 
that when Hugh Wainwright died, and the contents of the 
will were made known, there was great inquiry for Gustavus, 
and no little trouble and expense in hunting him out in all 
sorts of outlandish places. It seemed to be settled, how- 
ever, that he had led a bushranger^s life, and died, without 
dreaming of his claim to this princely estate, somewhere in 
those Australian wilds. That was the impression, and it cer- 
tainly must have been very well sustained; for Geoffrey, your 
father, took undisputed possession, notwithstanding a 
codicil was added to old Hughes will, the very day before he 


26 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


% died, giving back ‘the property to its rightful claimant, or 
his heirs, if such could be found. But Arthur^s death was 
proved beyond any questioning. There is quite a pile of 
India letters giving an account of it, and an interesting 
glimpse of his life, after the rupture between him and his 
father. He seems to have broken down in spirits and char- 
acter, but to have retained that womanly tenderness of heart 
which struck me so forcibly in his college letters to his 
father. I have tried to imagine the poor fellow^s life. Did 
you notice his comrade^s description of the boy who followed 
him everywhere he went, and of whom he was so loving and 
tender? The fate of this lad seems to have weighed heavily 
on Arthur^s mind at his death-bed; for, do you remember, 
his friends say he made him promise to come and hear a 
little story about him, and begged that he would carry a 
letter commending the lad to his father^s care when he 
(Arthur) should be gone. But he died suddenly, rupturing 
a blood-vessel, and the letter was never written, and when 
Arthur was dead the lad fled away and disappeared. Did 
you give much thought to this, papa?^^ 

Ho, Octavia, I scarcely remember the circumstance at 

all.^^ 

Neither did Screw & Scattergood, but it stays with me 
very forcibly. Well, to come back to our case. After your 
father is dead, and you have been all this time in undis- 
turbed possession, these Middletons rise up and claim to be 
legal children of Gustavus Wainwright, who, as they aver, 
changed his name to Middleton on marrying the heiress of 
one Captain Kobert Middleton, a wealthy land-owner in 
Australia, and they claim to be the rightful owners of this 
property. Dear papa, it was very foolish in you to try to 
hide this from me, because I must have found it out some- 
time.'’^ 

She smiled upon him tranquilly, but her eyes glittered a 
little feverishly. 


OCT AVIA' 8 PBIDK 


27 


Because it is all nonsense^ my darliiig; utter nonsense. 
They are impostors. Didn^t Screw or Scattergood tell you 
they could not even prove the marriage of their parties? 
Supposing that Gustavus Wainwright and Augustus Mid- 
dleton were really one and the same, they have no proof 
positive, such as the law requires, that he married Jane 
Middleton. They have no certificate, no church record,'’^ 
cried the general, rising up again from the pillow, a round 
spot of feverish red gathering on his sallow cheek. 

Father, asked Octavia, dropping her voice a little, ^^if 
they should succeed in the suit; if this property of old 
Hugh Wainwrighk’s were taken away from us, w^hat should 
we have left, — you and I 

^‘'Beggary and ruin!^^ was the hoarse reply. 

Miss Wainwright withdrew the shapely white hands fr6m 
his and clasped them together. The full, red lips straight- 
ened also, and took on a firm, set look, which, for all the 
unlikeness of tint and form, was singularly a counterpart 
of the generaFs grim, square jaw. 

^^Well,^^ said she, ^^as I told you before. Screw & Scat- 
tergood are a little disturbed by a new development. You 
are aware that there is a detective secretly watching all the 
Middleton movements. They have got hold of an old, 
broken-down East India merchant, and he. Screw & Scat- 
tergood say, insists that he knew all about Gustavus Wain- 
wright^s change of name, and was present at his marriage. 
He says his father was a captain in the regiment in which 
Arthur AVainwright served as a lieutenant; that he, himself 
a young lad, was warmly attached to this Arthur. He 
tells, very accurately, the date of Gustavus AYainwrighFs 
appearance in India, who, it seems, sought his cousin out 
the moment he arrived. He knew just when he left for 
Australia, and he and his father went out to Australia, in 
response to the invitation of Gustavus, two years after Ar- 
thurs death, and were fortunately just in time to be present 


28 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


at the wedding. This, Screw & Scattergood have got out 
of the old man, by pretending to be agents for the Middle- 
tons, and I think they are pretty well convinced of the 
worth of his testimony to the opposite side. He is seventy- 
one years old, and remarkably preserved in all his faculties. 
They say he behaves very shrewdly, and hints of holding 
some still undeveloped secret, and sticks stoutly for a gen- 
erous reward, inasmuch as you would be likely to give twice 
as much to silence him.^^ 

What is the man^s.name?^^ asked General Wainwright, 
in a voice scarcely above a whisper, turning his face a little 
away from the glance of that keen blue eye. 

Mathew Merle, answered Octavia, bendjng over to 
smooth out the coverlet, and ‘thus ng^ade aware of the ghastly 
pallor which swept over the averted countenance. 

The invalid dropped heavily to his pillow. 

I am so sorry to disturb you, dear papa; but you see 
that this odious affair gives me no alternative. Screw & 
Scattergood ask for immediate instructions.'’^ 

They must ruin that man^s testimony somehow. Tell 
them no cost need to alarm them,'’'’ gasped the general. 

You think, then, that Gustavus W^ainwright really knew 
such a person as Mathew Merle 

^‘^The letter mentions hini,'’^ moa;ned her father, flinging 
up his arms to his head, as if some remembrance tortured 
him. 

She rose promptly. 

You must not talk any more to-night. Leave the affair 
to me. With Screw & Scattergood'’s help, I will manage it.'” 

, To you — to you — a Avoman — a carefully guarded pet 
like you, my Octavia said he, mournfully. 

She smiled proudly. 

Yes, I am a woman, but none the less capable for that. 
Have you never seen, my father, that I possess a resolute 
and determined spirit, like your OAvn? Come, you must 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDS. 


29 


fret no more over it. I will ring for Willis, and you shall 
have the opiate.^'’ 

He yielded quietly. 

She saw him take the opiate, herself fixed the pillows 
comfortably, and, kissing him for good-night, she glided 
away out of the chamber, as calni, and fair, and regally 
graceful, as when she entered. 


CHAPTER HI. 

YOU SHALL EEPENT THAT SPEECH V’ 

You have no more spirit than a fiy, Maurice Middleton. 
If you were my daughter I should not mind. We expect 
women to be weak, and cowardly, and hesitating, but in a 
man, and a strong young fellow like you — bah! I am 
ashamed of my son.'’^ 

The tone was one of deep disgust, and it was scarcely 
strange the listener's cheek fiushed beneath it. 

Nevertheless, the young man answered calmly: 

I beg your pardon, father, but you have no right to 
apply either of those epithets to me. Wait until circum- 
stances have tried me before you call me weak or cow- 
ardly." 

But you have no ambition. See how you would drop 
out of this affair, would relinquish this suit. I can scarcely 
drive you into it," returned the father, Mr. John Middleton, 
a sharp-featured, wiry-framed little man, who was snapping 
the blade of his penknife to and fro, and shifting uneasily 
in his seat. 

That is true. I don't exactly know why, but I have 
taken a great antipathy to the whole affair. Why should 
we three men set ourselves to hunting and scraping up 
evidence of dead and gone people, to oust out from a prop- 


30 


OCTAVIA’8 PRIDR 


erty they have possessed all their lives, a feeble old man and 
a delicate, refined young lady? If my mother were alive, or 
we had sisters, it would be different. There would seem to 
be then some show of justice. But for three men like you, 
and Felix, and myself, I confess I canT make it seem any- 
thing but abominable.'’^ 

Foolish boy! WonT you and Felix marry? And then 
where is the fine fortune you will need to come from?^'’ 

The clear, ingenuous face sparkled over with a mis- 
chievous smile, and the manly shoulders were shrugged im- 
patietly. 

‘^Time enough to think of that, father, when Felix and 
I have received hint of such a destiny.'’^ 

^^And you would let this great fortune, which was my 
fathers right, slip away from us? I have no patience with 
you, Maurice. It is time you threw aside these absurd 
dreams of yours and became a practical man, alive to 
the duties of the day and hour. I shall no longer humor 
your vagaries. You must be more of a man, or I shall dis- 
own you.'’^ 

Disinherit me from this Wainwright fortune, you 
mean? Upon my soul, I am willing.^' 

Thank Heaven, Felix has some sense! You do not find 
Felix talking in this fashion. He urges me to bring for- 
ward all possible convincing testimony. 

^^Why donT Felix come and attend to the business him- 
self? I^’m 'sure I donT understand his movements at all. 
He has never taken us to his residence or his place of busi- 
ness since we have arrived in town. We know nothing 
whatever of his movements, and when lie comes to us, I de- 
clare it seems to me he is all the time afraid he will be seen 
by some one. I must own, father, that these three years of 
absence have not improved Felix, according to my mind. 
He looks like a man about something of which he is 
ashamed/^ 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


31 


‘^Another of your absurdities!^^ was the elder gentlemau'^s 
angry retort. Felix understands what he is about, and I 
am fully acquainted with his affairs. So you may set your 
mind at rest there. I only wish I were half as well satisfied 
with your behavior. 

The handsome, clear-eyed young fellow shrugged his 
shoulders and gave a comical grimace. 

wish, then, you would put this obnoxious affair into 
the hands of Felix. It is more to his taste, you admit. 
Why not give him the management 

Felix really does have the management,^'’ answered Mr. 
Middleton, meditatively, ^^only he does not like to have it 
appear so. He does not want them to mistrust yet that he 
has any connection with us.'’^ 

exclaimed Maurice; ^^so my vague conjectures 
prove true! Mr. Felix Middleton does not wish it known 
that his father and brother are in town. Humph! I trust 
my affairs will never be in such a ‘^satisfactory^ state that I 
am ashamed to own my relatives. I am sure I shall never 
be willing to compromise my own honor so much as to be 
willing to take any management which cannot be known to 
all the word.^^ 

Absurd, quixotic boy! I cannot imagine how you came 
to be so unlike your brother, nor where you acquired such 
weak and silly ideas. 

The soft hazel eye took on a sudden fiash; the lip curled 
haughtily. 

^‘Father! father! let me always keep such weakness and 
silliness! Mayhap the time will come when I can show you 
what is true strength and wisdom. Mayhap you will be 
able to test your two sons, and find out which is wanting. 
Mayhap 

But here he broke off with a light laugh, and shook away 
the sudden fire of emotion which had come over him. 

Pshaw!- it is absurd in me to quarrel about this thing. 


S2 


OGTAVIA^S phide. 


We miglit talk f orever^ and neither could change the other^s 
views. You know I have my own plans for the future, and 
that I deferred them to come and assist you here, according 
to your earnest request. Upon my word, father, I think I 
have got beyond my usefulness here. That old man is a 
villain, and will play you false, take my word for it.'’^ 

^^Let him be a villain; it does not matter to me, so that 
I get this testimony out of him,^^ was the crusty reply. 

^^But what is a villain^s testimony worth? I tell you he 
has a sardonic smile which assures me he means to turn 
upon you 'some way.^^ 

^^How can he do that? Let him but give his testimony 
on oath that Gustavus Wainwright took the name of Au- 
gustus Middleton when he married Captain KobeiUs daugh- 
ter, and that the ceremony was a legal one, and he may turn 
as much and as often as he pleases. I shall be safely 
established as the heir of the Wainwright property.'’^ 

^^And that poor old man, and the young lady ?^^ said 
Maurice Middleton, sorrowfully. Father! father! what 
do we three men want of riches? Leave the poor Wain- 
wrights undisturbed, I beg of you 

Eight is right. Why slipuld I be defrauded of my 
fathers due? And you may spare your sympathy for the 
young lady. Felix will look after her welfare. He seems 
very much in love with her.^^ 

And here he comes. I Vill leave you to discuss the 
subject, for I presume the conversation will entirely concern 
the case of Middleton vs. Wainwright, and will spare him 
any trepidation on my account.^’ 

As he spoke he crossed the room toward a door opposite 
that upon whose threshold appeared a rather fine-looking, 
well-dressed gentleman, some half a dozen years older than 
Maurice. 

The elder Mr. Middleton advanced to meet the new- 
comer, with a smile of eager welcome. 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


33 


you have come again^ Felix? I am thankful to see 
you. I want to ask your advice about this Mathew Merle. 
He is rather hard to manage^ and demands an extravagant 
price, besides threatening to walk over to the other party. 

know, I know,^'’ said Felix, snapping angrily a pair of 
rather small, but piercing gray eyes. doubted your 

ability to cope with him, and I went to see him myself. 
He is as wily as an old fox, and took care not to commit 
himself in any way. But he means mischief.'’^ 

have been telling father that same thing, observed 
Maurice, with his hand on the door. ^^YouM better help 
me out with the rest 5f the advice. I tell him to drop the 
case.'’^ 

Drop the case, indeed exclaimed Felix, evidently 
glad of an opportunity to vent the ill-humor which had 
been growing within him. ‘^1 should expect just such 
ridiculous advice from a spiritless coward like youP^ 

^^Take care, Felix exclaimed his brother, a flush rising 
hastily to his forehead. You mistake my character alto- 
gether if you think I am cowardly enough to submit to your 
insulting language. These three years of absence have 
weaned me from the old-time slavish submission to your 
tyrannical temper. I am a man myself now. You can say 
no more than that, and we both alike await the test of ex- 
perience to prove our worth and ability. I say, again, I do 
not like this case, though I have no doubt the right is on 
fathers side. Why must we cajole, and wheedle, and bribe 
that old reprobate? I would just arrest him, and compel 
his testimony. 

I should like to see the power that could compel an un- 
willing witness at our courts to speak the testimony required 
when there is not another soul to corroborate or impeach his 
assertions, answered Felix, with a sneer. ^^And as re- 
gards your having grown to be a man, I should like to see it 
proved by something more satisfactory than your assertion, 


34 


OCT AVI A 8 PRIDE, 


You think our cause rights and you would give it up 
tamely. Very mature judgment^ truly. 

Maurice Middleton^s cheeks grew hotter still. 

would not take away their whole subsistence from a 
failing old man and a helpless young woman. I have man- 
hood enough for that.'’^ 

Felix turned upon him with a still fiercer glare. 

^^Ah! I fathom the cause of this chivalrous conduct. 
You have seen Octavia Wainwright. You have fallen in 
love with her. But I warn you — ^ 

He paused, fairly choked by his indignation from further 
speech. 

Maurice smiled disdainfully. 

Spare yourself uneasiness, royal Felix, said he. 
have neither seen Miss Wainwright, nor cherish any inten- 
tion of seeking her out. But your jealousy confirms my 
previous suspicions. You care about the success of my 
fathers claim most of all because it will give you a hold 
upon a lady who has rejected your proffered love.^^ 

It was evident this random arrow struck home. Felixes 
thin face turned to a sickly greenish pallor. 

^‘^By St. George! Maurice Middleton, you shall repent 
that speech V’ cried he, hoarsely. 

Maurice laughed softly. 

Come, come, you are always quarreling, interposed 
their father, anxiously. Do be quiet a little while, I beg 
of you. Maurice, I wish you would see after that draft. 

‘^‘^Yes, sir, Fll take myself out of the way with the ut- 
most alacrity. Adieu, Don Felix. 

The light, mocking echoes of his laugh lingered a mo- 
ment after the door closed behind him. 

^ Felix ground down a malediction. 

Father, said he, always disliked that boy. ^^He 
has none of our blood in him.'’^ 

I know it,^^ was the deprecating reply. 


Aside from 


MISS WAINWRIGHT, AM I TO GO OR STAYr’-(P. 63 .) 





« 







\ 






36 


OGTAVIAB PRIDE. 


looks, one would know that you and he had different 
mothers. But he is my son, and your half-brother, and in 
his own line we must give him credit for smartness and 
ability. He has earned his full share of the family income, 
though he keeps his absurd, quixotie n(5tions, in spite of 
my lectures. But now let us talk of business. So you have 
seen old Mathew Merle yourself.^'’ 

Felix knit his forehead again. 

Yes, I have seen him. A wily old Fox, thaFs what he 
is; and you must set a watch upon him, or he will slip away 
without having given the testimony we need. I wish he 
could he trapped somehow into making his statements be- 
fore a witness. That would he better than to have him on 
the stand. 

^^How can that be? I donT understand.'’^ 

Why, in that case we have just the testimony we de- 
sire, and no more.'’^ 

Do you think there is anything he could say to damage 
us?^^ asked the elder Mr. Middleton, with a startled look. 

donT care ‘to give expression to all my thoughts, was 
the rather ambiguous answer of Mr. Felix. 

His father stood twirling nervously at the seal on his 
watch-chain, now and then lifting his eyes, and glancing 
uneasily at the moody face before him. 

cant see a possibility of harm in his power, except 
from withholding the testimony,^" ventured he. 

wish I couldnT,^^ returned Felix. However, the 
thing is to put it out of the man^s power to do harm. I 
think you agree with me that the affair must go on at any 
cost.'’^ 

Certainly, certainly, replied the senior, with decided 
empahsis. 

Yes,^^ repeated Felix, clenching the hands thrust under 
the skirts of his coat, and setting his teeth till they left 


OCT AVI 8 PUIDE. 


37 


their imprint in the bloodless lip. It shall go on; no ob- 
stacle shall hinder now."’"' 

‘^1 wish I knew what danger you have discovered, 
Felix r . 

It is only a suspicion as yet, and, oddly enough, Octavia 
Wainwright was the first to suggest it to me. That girl has 
been to see old Merle. There was never another such a 
woman as she. Judge of my surprise when she said, 
gravely, this very evening, in talking over the case with her 
father — I took care to he near enough to hear every word — 
said she, ^ I am not afraid of what the Middletons can do, 
father. This witness of theirs will ruin their case for them. 
He tried to cheat me also, hut I read plainly he held an- 
other game in reserve. If they are keen and sagacious they 
will never bring him to the witness stand. This was what 
she said, in that grave, sedate way of hers.^^ 

‘‘1 do not see yet,’"' said Mr. Middleton, hewilderedly. 
^^FTor should I, if I had not watched her movements. 
What a queen she would make, with her brilliant genius, her 
subtle penetration, and indomitable energy he added, in 
an eager voice. When she has married me, and the two 
causes are united, like the rival roses, I will defy all the 
other claims which may arise. 

Why donT you marry her, then, as soon as possible?"’^ 
Mr. Felix bit his lip again. 

Octavia Wainwright is not a common woman, sir. She 
will not be won in the tame every-day style. I make my 
moves cautiously, and only after due reflection. The next 
time I lay my suit before her, she will answer less haughtily 
at least. 

‘^‘'The 7iext time!^^ repeated his father. ^^So Maurice was 
right — she has refused you 07ice 

A sullen, angry red swept into the face of Felix. 

I trust, sir, what I say to you confidentially is not to 
be repeated to that boy.'’^ 


38 


OCT AVI A 8 PRIDE, 


Of course not. You are both ready enough to quarrel, 
without my help. But, Felix, I am anxious to know what 
danger can threaten our case 

His son bent from his tall height, and whispered a single 
sentence. 

But a cannon at his ear could not have shocked him 
more. Mr. John Middleton staggered back, turned deadly 
pale, and grasping at a chair to support himself, faltered: 

^‘^No, no, Felix! That is impossible 

tell you, sir, it is coming to light, sure as fate, unless 
we stop it. It was a miserable mistake getting this Mathew 
Merle over here. He must not give in his evidence him- 
self.^^ 

he must not. But how can it be helped 
Leave it to me, sir. Octavia M^ainwright was right 
when she said, ^ The Middletons will take care of Mathew 
Merle. ^ 

Father and son grasped hands, looking into each other^s 
faces with fiercely burning eyes. Look and gesture meant 
more than any speech of the tongue. And then they 
parted. 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE MUTILATED BIBLE. 

The Sea Foam had gained the channel, and the white 
cliffs of the English shore were dwindling and dwindling 
into mere specks. The sails filled out stiffly, and laying 
over a little on one side, the gallant vessel plowed through 
the white-crested waves as though impelled by a living force 
within itself. 

The mate walked the deck, casting a satisfied glance now 
and then up at the sails, and looking back toward the shore 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


39 


with a seaman^s appreciation of the stiff breeze which was 
hurrying them away from it. The sailors were exchanging 
smiling glances^ or light jests, in good humor with all the 
world, because ^^this is a spanking breeze, now I tell you, 
Jack.^^ And donT she walk like a beauty? I tell you, my 
hearty, this is the prettiest craft you ever set foot on, 
whether you know it or not.^^ 

The captain of the Sea Foam, however, though he was 
seaman enough to appreciate a good sailer and a favor- 
able wind, had the gravest face on board. He walked 
backward and forward along the after-deck, with his 
hands behind him, his eyes downcast, not speaking except, 
when he had given the necessary orders for the manage- 
ment of the ship, and then in a voice so lacking its 
accustomed heartiness, that his officers were quite puzzled, 
and the old hands among the crew opened their eyes, 
wondering whatever it could be that had come over 
the smartest, j oiliest cap^n that ever a poor tar sailed 
under. 

The truth was. Captain Lo knew that the time was 
swiftly approaching when he must face his passenger, and 
the paroxysm, whether of anger, terror, or distress, which 
would naturally result from his discovery of his extra- 
ordinary situation. 

The lad had been lying all this time in a profound 
sleep. He had roused him twice to give a cup of coffee, 
hoping it would dispel the lethargy; but though it had 
been taken eagerly, the eyes scarcely opened, and the head 
had dropped again heavily. The last time, however, that 
Captain Lo had looked at him, he saw plainly that the 
power of the narcotic was passing away, and consciousness 
returning. He was very positive that his next visit would 
find his passenger awake and in his right mind. 

It was the dread of this meeting and the leaden weight 
of his conscience which destroyed the usual light-hearted 


40 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDE. 


good nature of the skipper of the Sea Foam. And yet, 
for all the dread, a subtle fascination drew him down into 
the cabin. And presently, after a careful glance which 
took in the distant shore, the set of the sails and the for- 
ward track, he turned toward the companion-way, and 
went down into the cabin. 

His passenger^s state-room was open, and Captain Lo 
was thus made aware that the lad had risen from the 
berth, and he was not in the least surprised to find the 
slight figure standing in the middle of the little state-room. 

A pair of large, wistful, melancholy brown eyes, dark- 
ened a little by that expression of startled perplexity, were 
fixed inquiringly upon his. 

Captain Lo wished the stanch, solid plank under his 
feet would give Avay and let him down out of sight, even 
though it plunged him into the chilling depths beneath. 

He coughed rather nervously, and stammered: 

You are better. I am glad to see that you have recov- 
ered consciousness.'’'’ 

Are you the master here? I judge I am on board some 
vessel. Will you tell me what one, and where bound ?^^ 

It is the Sea Foam, bound to the East Indies, and I am 
Captain Lo Leyard.'’^ 

^^To the East Indies? Then it will ‘be easy for me to 
reach Calcutta. I was born in Calcutta.'’^ 

Captain Lo swallowed down the lump in his throat, which 
was near choking him. 

Indeed. So I may judge this is not your first voyage. 
Pray sit down. You are weak, and you must be half fam- 
ished. I will order the steward to bring you the broth I 
ordered to be in readiness for your waking. 

How long have I slept, and who brought me here?^^ 
asked the boy, dropping listlessly into the seat toward 
which Captain Lo motioned him. 

His calmness delighted the latter. 


OOTAVIA^S PRIJDR 


41 


Thank Heaven I am to be spared a flurry of alarm and 
distress/^ thought he. After all, my passenger is not so 
unwilling. 

And he answered, with more animation: 

It is a very strange affair, my boy. If you can explain 
it all to me, my curiosity will be very much relieved. A 
stranger, muffled up in a cloak, with a long, heavy heard 
and mustache, came and engaged passage, and said you 
would be brought on board when we reached the mouth of 
the river. Sure enough, just as the tug-boat left us, and 
we were ready to stand out to the channel, a boat came 
alongside, in all the mist and dark, and you were handed 
up to me, seeming to be in a profound sleep. I brought 
you down to the cabin, and when I returned on deck the 
boat had gone. Two trunks were put on board for you. 
Am I to understand that you are ignorant of this, or repug- 
nant to the voyage 

I donT know whether I am glad or sorry, answered 
the lad, slowly resting his head against the cabin wall, and 
half closing his eyes. ^‘^But I am certainly at a loss to 
know Avhat it means. I remember rather indistinctly, but 
the last impression I have is of being in the chamber of a 
lodging-house in London, drinking a cup of coffee the land- 
lady brought to me.'’^ 

It was drugged. You have evidently been under the 
effects of a powerful narcotic, observed the captain, indig- 
nation in his voice and look. 

I suppose so, that I might be brought to your ship. 
But it is very strange, returned he, passing his hand across 
his forehead. 

I would not puzzle over it now. You say you donT 
know whether to be glad or sorry. I advise you to decide 
to be glad, to try to make the best of the circumstances, 
and be as happy as possible under them. I assure you I 
will do my best to make you comfortable.” 


42 


OCT AVI A 8 PRIDE. 


The large^ brown eyes were lifted again. Captain Lo 
found it hard to sit composed under their scrutiny, and it 
was like a knife-stab when the tremulous voice said, trust- 
fully: 

Thank you, sir; I am sure you will. Your face tells 
me I may find a friend in you.'’^ 

And then the eyes fell again, the head drooped to the 
supporting hand, and Captain Lo^s passenger fell into a 
deep reverie. 

You shall have the broth now, and some toast and a 
cup of coffee, and after it you will feel like another 
person. 

^^Not coffee, said the boy, hastily, putting on a look of 
disgust. 

Well, tea, then. But you must really take some nour- 
ishment.^^ 

And Captain Lo bustled out to the galley to attend to 
the matter himself, instead of trusting either steward or 
cook, trying to soften the sting of his accusing conscience 
by these little attentions. 

As soon as he was gone, the boy put his hand into his 
pocket and dre.w forth the letter he had found there, with 
a purse containing a generous sum of gold, when he first 
awoke to a realization of his situation. 

The handwriting was bold an(J firm. The letter bore no 
date, had no signature, but contained these lines: 

“You avow yourself well-nigh driven to despair by the misery and 
cruelty of the circumstances which surround you. I heard you, only 
a few days ago, cry out in very agony of passionate grief : ‘ Oh, if I 

could anywhere, change lives and destinies with any one, only to 
escape the recognition of my persecutors, my jailers, my despotic 
masters.’ 

“Such passionate demands are almost always answered, and the 
realization for you comes promptly. 

“Behold ! When you will read this you will find yourself in changed 
circumstances, bound by none of the fetters you detest, freed from 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


43 


the evils which threatened. Make your own circumstances now ; 
choose your path freely. Your disappearance from London will be a 
mystery which even Mathew Merle’s craft cannot fathom. If you 
choose, your past and your identity can be wiped out so completely, 
those enemies cannot track you out ; for though it will be obviously 
necessary for you to avoid England and shun India, the world is wide, 
and holds many pleasant scenes and happy lands. This is written by 
one upon whose face you have never looked, whose identity you will 
never know, who is not so much of a hypocrite as to pretend to be 
doing this out of friendship to you, but to foil the wicked plans of 
Mathew Merle.” 

Another mystery/'’ sighed the youth. Another of 
the inexplicable tangles that coil around me. Another cur- 
rent bearing me on, a powerless agent drifting whither its 
impetus bears me.^^ 

The graceful head dropped again to the clasping hands, 
# and the eyes were full of melancholy. 

It was raised again presently, a hopeful gleam brighten- 
ing over the face. 

W ell, I must accept the situation. That much is positive. 
And why not, as the good captain suggests, be happy over 
it? The unknown writer is right; it is possible for me to 
make my own future now. If I have escaped from my 
guardian^s knowledge, when this voyage is ended, and I 
stray into some pleasant home, why may I not find inde- 
pendence and happiness both? Just now I seem hardly to 
have energy and spirit to face anything. But it will be 
different in a little time. And it might be happiness to 
have escaped from them. I remember well how I broke 
forth that evening in my great distress after my guardian’s 
visit. How I wished myself anywhere — in a lonely desert, 
on a trackless ocean. This is far better. If I can read a 
face correctly, this Captain Leyard is a kind and gentle- 
manly man. He can help me. He will be kind to me. 
Indeed — indeed, I will seek to be happy!” 

These reflections were interrupted by the entrance of the 


44 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDR 


captain^ followed by the steward^ with a great tray in his 
arms. 

The youthful passenger could not but smile to see the 
array of delicacies brought out from the lockers. 

Captain Lo himself arranged the table, and sat down 
opposite, watching with delight the zest with which his 
guest approached them. 

^^'Well,''^ said he, smilingly, ^^you are not so very un- 
happy r 

ISTo, sir. I have resigned myself to the situation, and 
mean to make the best of what, after all, is not so very bad. 
I am fond of the sea."^^ 

You must come on deck. We have a shanking breeze, 
and are slipping along at a famous rate,^^ returned the cap- 
tain, growing more and more relieved. • 

will come presently. I should like to look at my 
trunk. You said one was brought with me, and this key 
in my pocket, I presume, unlocks it.""^ 

Yes, to be sure. It was stowed in that locker there 
under your berth. W^ell, come to the deck when you are 
ready. It will bring more color to your cheek, this cool 
breeze. You are awfully pale, but, then, it is that accursed 
narcotic. In another day you will be all right. But, by 
the way, you havenT told me your name./^ 

The face was not pale. At the moment the lad answered, 
a scarlet flush went over it, even to the temples, though it 
faded a moment after. 

^^The unknown visitor who paid my passage should have 
provided me with a name also,^^ answered he, with a touch 
of bitterness in the tone. He seems to have decided so 
much, he might as well have finished it all. Possibly he 
could have found a more lucky one than mine has been, 
but it is at your service. Will Yarrel, sir.^^ 

Well, Master Will, I shall be happy to see you on deck 
prfsently, Yow I will leave you to examine your trunk. 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


45 


I trust you will find in it everything you desire; if not^ my 
store is at your service/'’ 

As he spoke, the captain left the inner cabin, and went 
out through the other one, in which was the table for the 
under officers, and their berths. 

Will Yarrel took the key from his pocket and went into 
the state-room. He pulled out the trunk, unlocked it 
hastily, and opened the lid. 

A suit of boy^s clothing met his eye at its first glance. 

It was entirely new. A bitter smile curled the lady’s lip as 
he filing it out upon the fioor, and searched deeper, exam- 
ining ev’ery article with close scrutiny. 

There was everything needed for the toilet of a genteel 
young gentleman — abundance of clothing, a dressing-case, 
writing-desk, a table, book-rack filled with books, even a 
pair of worked slippers. 

Everything was new, unsoiled, fresh from the deale/s 
shop. 

Will Yarrel removed every article from the trunk, litter- 
ing the fioor around him. When he came to a common, ^ 
rather clumsy, and well-worn Bible, he uttered an exclama- 
tion of joy, and took it fondly in his hands. But his eye 
fiashed indignantly as he opened the leather cover. The 
blank leaves had been ruthlessly torn away. 

My father^s handwriting — all that I possessed as a me- 
mento of my mo therms married life — taken away from me! 
Shameful ! cruel I wicked ejaculated he. 

And then the hand dropped listlessly over the Bible, and 
the great, mournful eyes deepened to the blackness of min- 
gled terror and melancholy. 

What is this mystery that has followed me ever since I 
have been able to notice and realize murmured he. 

Why can I not pierce it, seize upon its meaning? How 
fondly I have dreamed over it! have fancied that my locket 


46 


OCT AVI A 8 PRIDE. 


would some time discover it to me! And yet I am contin- 
ually baffled. 

He stopped abruptly, and put his hand under the collar 
around his neck. 

An exclamation of dismay and grief announced the dis- 
covery of some great loss. 

They have taken off the chain! They have stolen my 
chain and locket! Oh, I have lost the only clew to my true 
name and parentage !’"’ he cried, and then fell to examining 
anew, shaking every article, exploring the pockets, turning 
out the contents of every box. 

In vain! The mutilated Bible was the only link left him 
to prove anything concerning his past life. 

He thrust back the contents of the trunk, closed the lid 
hastily, and pushed it back into the locker. 

Then he went out into the cabin, and sitting down by 
the table, he laid his head down upon his extended arms. 
His cheek was very pale, his eyes troubled, and his voice 
trembled as he murmured : 

am indeed a lonely, helpless waif, drifting out upon 
an unknown ocean, without chart or compass of my own.^^ 

Poor Will Yarrel ! And he did not guess the solution 
which weighed so heavily on Captain Lo^s mind. He had 
not the faintest presentiment of the lonely, deserted 
ocean isle. 


CHAPTER V. 

DEATH EVERYWHERE 

Letters, Felix? Anything from Screw & Scattergood^s 
office? My father was just asking. Bring them here, if 
you please. I will look at them before I go."^^ 

Miss Wainwright stood at the drawing-room door, a 


OCT AVIA'S PBIDE. 


47 


vision dazzling and beautiful, beyond comparison to the 
eyes which looked upon her. 

She was going out to a dinner party, and the carriage 
was already waiting at the door. She wore a pearl-colored 
satin, whose lustrous shimmer was broken here by undu- 
lating lines of foamy lace, and there by little knots of flut- 
tering ribbon, with a sparkling fringe of crystal pendants. 
That wonderful hair of hers shone and rippled under a 
pearl fillet. A pendant pearl hung by a delicate gold chain 
from the finely shaped ear, and a chain of strung pearls was 
flung carelessly around the ivory fair throat. 

Felix had never more fully realized her queenly loveliness 
of person, nor that exquisite grace of manner which, after 
all, is the birthright of nature, and not the acquisition of 
culture. 

With the bundle of letters clasped nervously in his fin- 
gers, he stood staring upon her, all the wild devotion of his 
fierce nature flaming up into his eyes. 

She was so royally beautiful, this Octavia Wainwright, 
and the keen, sagacious, subtle mind kept such worthy 
company with the loveliness of person, Felix Thorne said 
there was no one like her in all the wide world. He could 
have knelt, like a devotee, and kissed the ground where 
she trod. If he had dared, he would have seized that very 
moment to have fiung himself at her feet and demanded to 
be set any herculean task, the performance of which would 
be rewarded by her favor. He knew, he felt it; not with 
the shuddering terror such consciousness should haVe 
brought, but with a sort of evil pride and triumph that he 
would be willing to undergo any sort of torture or penance 
— would risk his very soul — but to see those red lips smile 
tenderly, the bright, steady eyes droop coyly with a girhs 
bashful love, before his ardent gaze. 

Instead she stood before him serenely calm, fixing her 
glance gravely upon him, until that passionate glow flamed 


48 


OGTAVIA*S PRIDE. ’ 


into his face, when she shut her red lips together with her 
father^s sternness, and a frown wrinkled her fair, smooth 
forehead. It was singular how, without a word, scarcely a 
look or gesture, she managed to freeze him with the con- 
sciousness of her icy displeasure. Octavia Wainwright was 
no coquette. 

Felix Thorne — as Miss W ain wright only knew him — 
gathered together his dissolving wits, braced himself with a 
desperate effort, and in a moment had resumed his ordinary 
free and easy but decorously respectful manner. 

think there is a communication from General Wain- 
wrighFs solicitors. It bears their seal, at least, he said, 
quietly. 

She stretched out her white, somewhat large hut sym- 
metrical hand, retreating into the drawing-room as she 
did so. 

Felix followed, with the look of one accustomed to share 
her perplexities, if he might not venture to seek her love. 

Miss Wainwright went up to the marble chimney-piece, 
and leaning against it for support, broke open the letter 
with an impatient hand. 

Her eye ran over the closely written lines with swift, 
flaming glances, and when she had flnished, she folded it 
carefully and restored it to its envelope. 

Felix had watched her' face closely, passionate love and 
flerce anger flaming up in his heart. 

Well,^^ said she, slowly taking up a mantle which was 
thrown carelessly over a chair near her, suspense, at least, 
•will be spared us. The case is coming on in three days.^^ 

^^So soon?^^ said Felix, dropping his eyes to the floor; 
^^and are they prepared?^^ 

^^As well as they ever will be,^^ answered Miss Wain- 
wright, a slow smile playing oyer her face. 

He looked up now. 

And you are not disturbed. Miss W^ain wright?"^ 


OCfAVIA^S PRIDZ 


49 


not particularly. Do you imagine these nameless 
adventurers can so easily oust us from the home of our an- 
cestors 

But they declare they have a better claim both to the 
name and the home/^ said he, a flush stealing into his 
sallow cheek. 

A glance of cold contempt fell upon him. 

^^Are you espousing their cause? Let them prove the 
marriage of Gustavus Wainwright. That is the chief point 
we dispute. 

^‘^But I understand there was a witness. 

She took up the fan hanging by a slender silver chain 
from her filigree bracelet, and waved it carelessly to and fro 
before she answered: 

am not disturbed concerning that witness. Those 
Middletons are too wary to bring him forward. 

have heard you say as much before. But the mere 
statement is ambiguous. I do not understand 

^^But I do,^^ she interrupted, hastily; ^^and you will not 
be required to wait long to see that I am right. This vexa- 
tious matter will soon be ended. 

You are so confident said be, and there was a little 
startled apprehension in his voice. 

She vailed beneath the white eyelids drooping to her 
cheek a smile of exultant triumph, and answered, coldly: 

You are in a singular ^lood, Felix. Why should I not 
be confident? Do you question the right of my father to 
Wainwright Slope ?^^ 

Many just causes are lost in a suit at law,^^ returned he, 
gravely; ^^and I confess, as far as my judgment goes, the 
case looks formidable. I had the impression that General 
Wainwright was also anxious, and you yourself startled and 
alarmed. There may be new developments, however.'’^ 

Nothing new to me,^^ she answered. 

Something in her tone made him start and look up has- 


50 


00TAVIA8 TRIBE, 


tily into her face. He bit his lip angrily^ and there was a 
hint of his resentment in his voice. 

Thank you. I perceive your meaning. While I be- 
lieved that I was sharing your fullest confidence^ you have 
chosen to keep your secrets from me. I have not really 
known all that was getting ready for the case.'’^ 

Have you any just cause for complaint, if it were so, 
though I do not admit that it is demanded Octavia Wain- 
wright, imperiously. You are my father^s secretary, and 
have certainly received every mark of favor from him. He 
has been generous in his confidence, and allowed you inti- 
mate acquaintance with all his affairs. But were you ever 
chosen as his daughter's confessor or counselor 

Felix Thorne^s sallow cheek grew deadly pale; he clenched 
his fingers till the nails cut into the palm of the closed hand 
hanging by his side; a spark of fierce anger, and yet pas- 
sionate love, leaped into his gray eyes. 

said he, bitterly, never! General Wainwrighffs 
daughter treats me as if I were a brute — a dumb creature, 
without heart or soul.^^ 

I have never refused due respect to your ability, your 
mental superiority over the majority of your class, an- 
swered Miss Wainwright, slowly and steadily. When you 
have kept in your rightful position, I have been both con- 
fidential and friendly. You know very well what absurd 
behavior it is that excites my anger 

^^Yes, I know. You think the humble, obscure sec- 
retary must needs be a stone or a stock; must have no 
eye for your transcendent grace and beauty; must be blind, 
and deaf, and dumb. You resent it as an insult if his heart 
kindles a fierce glow of passionate love for one who is the 
perfection of all womanly grace in his eyes. You show it to 
me often enough, and in your wordless way, which stabs 
more deeply than the most scornful or angry tirade. But 


OCfAVIA^S PRIDR 


51 


am I not a man^ Miss Wainwriglit, with a man^s capabili- 
ties, and rights, and deservings 

She was wrapping the scarf around her, and made no* 
answer. 

^^Yes,^^ continued he, his eyes gleaming, and the color 
coming back to his face. ^^Now that the seal is broken 
from my lips, for this once you shall hear what I wish to 
say. I love you! I shall always love you! Until my heart 
ceases to beat it will throb beneath its unalterable devotion 
to you. Be you ever so cold and haughty, I shall hope still 
sometime to win your favor. I shall never cease working 
to bring about the realizatioi^of the one desire of my life — 
never! — unless the sod covered you, and then I should die 
and follow you!"^ 

The wor4s came with fierce impetuosity. His breast was 
heaving beneath his emotion. 

Miss Wainwright could not be insensible to the fervor of 
this man^s devotion. She knew that it was genuine, with- 
out any affectation; but somehow it did not flatter her as 
such idolatrous love would have pleased the vanity of other 
women. 

She turned upon him coldly, with scarcely repressed 
anger: 

This rhapsody had better have remained unspoken, 
Mr. Thorne. It will prevent any further intimacy between 
us, and, when my father recovers, it will oblige him to find 
a new secretary.'’^ 

Cruel! hard! pitiless !^^ ejaculated Felix, with lips which 
quivered pitifully. Oh, why can I not despke and detest 
you as I ought ? But I cannot. I can no more resist this 
mad, overwhelming love than I can prevent my heart from 
beating. 

His voice was a wailing cry as he concluded. 

For the first time, she seemed to feel an impulse of com- 


52 


OOTAVIAS PBIDR 


passion. The chilling anger faded out of her eyes, and she 
said, in a gentler tone: 

You must go away, Felix; for your own sake, you must 
go away. You must leave us the moment my father re- 
covers.'’^ 

He sighed softly. 

^^Oh, Miss Wainwright, I could not forget you if I were 
buried alive in the great Sahara, or drifting endlessly upon 
the Polar Sea. And you will need me if your father should 
7iot recover.'’^ 

All the coldness and passiveness faded now, and a tremor 
of agitation convulsed her :^ce. 

^^Not recover! Felix Thorne, how dare you insinuate 
such a thing? My father not recover! He comes of a long- 
lived family, and he is only fifty-eight. It is cruel in you 
to suggest such a doubt. 

There were tears in her eyes, and the bright drops hung 
trembling on the long lashes. 

^^How she loves that haughty, selfish old man! She has 
given so much of her heart to him, there is no room left for 
others, thought Felix, drearily; and then he answered, 
gravely: 

Indeed, Miss Wainwright, I did not intend to grieve 
you. I supposed the physician had told you what he spoke 
to me so plainly. 

Her face grew pale, she caught her breath nervously, and 
clasping her hand across her heart, spoke imperiously, in a 
low, concentrated tone of deep anxiety: 

Tell Hie every word he said to you. He never hinted to 
me that there was any question about his recovery. 

I am very'sorry I spoke, stammered Felix. Perhaps, 
after all, I mistook 

Tell me just what he said to you stamping her foot 
impatiently, the hands still pressed close and hard against 
her heart. 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE, 


53 


He told me he had little doubt the disease would ter- 
minate General Wainwright^’s life/^ 

The hands were withdrawn and laid hastily upon her 
forehead. 

^^Ho, no; it cannot be! Oh^ no; it cannot be! It must 
not, it shall not be! My dear father! he is all I have! I 
shall die if I lose him!^^ she murmured, despairingly. 

Felix was deeply touched by her grief. 

^^It is but the opinion of one man,^^ said he, soothingly. 

She started forward eagerly. 

You are right. How can I have been so thoughtless ? 
He shall have down the ablest of the London physicians. 
We will save him yet. Oh, thank you, Felix, for telling me 
before it is too lateT^ 

She had forgotten her late coldness and anger. He saw 
that she scarcely remembered anything of his fiery speech. 
Her anxiety for her father swallowed up all other emotion. 

Ah,^'’ said he, smiling drearily; ^^so you are willing to 
thank me. Miss Wainwright, for this!^^ 

She , scarcely heard him, but began hurrieSly folding up 
the mantle, and then unclasped the pearl necklace. 

Will you tell Kobert to bring up the carriage and fresh 
horses for a long ride. I am going to London. 

The carriage is waiting to take you to the dinner party. 
You can send by a dozen methods to a London physician. 
You are all ready for the dinner party. Miss Wainwright.'’^ 

^^Ho you think I will go notof Ho; I am going to Lon- 
don at once. I will trust no messenger. I wish to make 
sure for myself which is the ablest of them all, and that one 
must cpme down to my father. Let Kobert change the 
horses, if those are unequal to the London journey. 

She swept past him as she spoke. 

He caught at the glistening folds of her dress. 

' ^^But, Miss Wainwright, am I to go or stay?^ 

Go? Go where ?"^ asked she, impatiently. 


54 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE. 


He hung his head in sorrow and humility. How utterly 
his affairs had vanished from her mind! 

^^It is of no consequence/^ he answered, in a stifled voice. 

And Octavia Wainwright swept through into the hall, and 
the great door closed after her. 

Felix Thorne Middleton stood looking at the blank space 
with dreary eyes. 

What a bitter farce this life of ours can be!^^ muttered 
he. Here I am ready to peril my life, my honor, my very 
souFs salvation, to win that woman^s toleration, and she has 
no more thought for my agony and despair than for the ex- 
istence of a fly upon the ceiling there. 

Presently the old sardonic smile broke over his face. 

But my time will come. The strange girl loves the old 
place as much as she loves her father. She will consent to 
be my wife rather than be thrust out from it. Humiliating 
as it is to confess it, I shall be thankful to obtain even such 
a beggaFs portion; for I cannot, though I were to tear out 
my heart from my breast, I cannot put away this wild love 
which is consuming me!^^ 

He stood there bolt upright, until he heard a light step 
crossing the corridor above; then, remembering the charge 
he had'^ received, he went out and gave the order about the 
horses. 

Scarcely an hour afterward. Miss Wainwright, dressed in 
a gray traveling suit, came swiftly down the stairs. Felix 
was ready to hand her into the carriage, hoping to be re- 
paid by a single glance, but a thick vail concealed her face. 
She paused, however, just as she was seating herself, and 
leaning out, said: • 

You must go and talk with papa, Felix, while I am 
gone, and keep upon cheerful topics, and, leave business 
affairs alone. Good-day.'’^ 

Did she know the cordial tone of that good-day would 
keep him earnest and submissive to her bidding? 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


55 


The Wainwright carriage drove into London just before 
sunset, and in taking the shortest route for their destina- 
tion, it passed by a police station, around which a crowd 
had gathered, and for a moment blocked the way. 

The stopping of the carriage roused Miss Wainwright 
from her abstraction, and she leaned out, but drew back in- 
stantly, shuddering at the sight presented by a hideous, 
ghastly burden, borne upon a plank between two men — a 
drowned woman, the face so decomposed by long soaking in 
the water, as to make it seem impossible it had ever been a 
human countenance. 

Eecognition of the features was, of course, impossible, 
but the clothing was little injured. A tall, vixenish looking 
woman, in a black cape and hood, stood by the litter, and 
lifted the dripping tresses of brown hair. 

Her voice reached the carriage as she spoke, in answer to 
some interrogation of the station officer. 

^^Yes, sir, there^s no doubt about it — them are her 
clothes, and she had such hair. It^s the poor little girl as 
has been missing from my house these two weeks. Her 
uncle has been searching everywhere. We thought as how 
somebody had run away with her. He^s gone now looking 
for her. Poor thing! Pm just mistrusting she had some 
trouble, and took this way to get out of it.^^ 

You are positive about the identity asked the officer. 
I am positive about them clothes. I canT tell any- 
thing by such a face as that. You'd best save the clothes 
for him to see when he comes." 

The litter was still resting on the pavement before the 
station door. 

Octavia Wainwright bent out again, gave one swift glance, 
and then pulled the strap vigorously. 

Drive on, Eobert, or return to the other street. Do not 
keep me here." 


56 


OCTAVIA^S PRIM!. 


The carriage whirled around, but not before she heard the 
officer say: 

will preserve the clothing, and this locket hung 
around the neck, and I shall put down the name of the su- 
icide as you have told me — ^ Mina, niece of one Mathew 
Merle, of Calcutta/ 

General Wainwright^s daughter put her hands to her ears, 
and looked around her with wild and frightened eyes. 

She was white and cold as a statue of snow when Eobert 
helped her out under the gas-lighted entrance of the town 
residence; but she walked steadily and firmly up the steps. 

Death everywhere murmured she. How little, after 
all, this world is worth 


CHAPTER VL 

THE KECIPE. 

There is a low, rambling building, with a grave, rather 
forbidding-looking front, on a street below the great stone 
convict hospital of Sydney. The street facing is somber 
and chilling, with its dark stones discolored by age; its 
scarcely less grim windows, narrow, and hung with formal, 
sad-colored drapery; its entire absence of brightness, whether 
of blossoming plants, or gay ribbons, or blooming faces of 
pretty women and merry children. People who lived in the 
vicinity, or those who were in the habit of passing fre- 
quently, cast glances toward the place of mingled awe and 
interest. Almost every qne knew that it was the house of 
Doctor Morley; and no one certainly who had any call at 
the hospital, or the government offices, but recognized the 
small, spare figure and erect head, with its closely-cropped 
gray hair, its small, piercing black eyes, and reticent lips, 
whenever they met Doctor Morley, the head physician of the 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


57 


hospital. He was not a man to be regarded lightly, al- 
though among the very best of his friends none could boast 
of any close intimacy. He had a way with him of putting 
at a distance any careless or trivial conversation, any at- 
tempt, however friendly, of passing the barrier set up be- 
tween physician and patient, business relations, or scientific 
devotees. If ever a man lived for and gave himself up to 
his profession, it was Doctor Morley. The wide world 
seemed to him but a field affording simply opportunities 
for scientific investigation into the healing art. He was 
stern and hard to fanaticism against quackery; he had no 
patience with drivelers, little mercy for weakness. But, 
perhaps, the most significant thing which could be said of 
him was, that many a poor, battered, broken-down wretch 
in the convict hospital yonder breathed the only prayer of 
blessing his blue lips knew, when Doctor Morley came and 
went. That many a hard, bitter face, sin-marked and sad, 
brightened into its most Christian expression at sight of the 
small, spare figure, in its rusty service-coat; that there were 
not a dozen, or a score, but a hundred stalwart fellows, in 
and around Sydney, who, having at one time or another 
gone into the hospital, had passed out so won to this man, 
that, had any danger menaced him, they would have sprung 
forward to his aid, counting the risk of their lives of little 
consequence, if given to his service. 

The government officers, from highest to lowest, held Doc- 
tor Morley in the highest estimation, sought his advice in 
many other matters than pertained to his profession, and 
had profound respect for his worth and knowledge. Never- 
theless, there was a littte irritation and awe in the minds of 
some of the higher officials. 

Doctor Morley was of no account at the grand dinners 
given at the government house. Why would not the man 
unbend from that chilling reserve of his? What need of 
forever carrying the stern duties of his life, never dropping 


58 


OCT AVI A' 8 PRIDE. 


them, not even for an hour of conviviality? Had the man 
actually no tenderness or cheeriness in his nature? Were 
his nerves steel-strung, as well as those wiry sinews of the 
muscular arm, which never quivered or faltered in the most 
harrowing cases which came under his surgical skill? Did 
he never need recreation or relaxation? 

This was a question often asked by the jovial, pleasure- 
loving dignitaries, who would fain have lured Doctor Mor- 
ley^s keen mind to have contributed its brilliant repartee and 
jest over their festive boards. But Doctor Morley was 
proof against their enticements. When his hours of work 
were over, he went to his dark, chilling house, walked 
gravely and soberly up the dingy steps, and vanished from 
the view of outsiders. 

It is pleasant to know there was really a cheery home side 
to the experience of this man, who was truly a philanthro- 
pist in the most unselfish sense of the word. Scarcely ever 
had his key clicked in the lock, and the door unclosed, than 
a step firm and steady, but light, advanced from the corri- 
dor above, and a moment after a young woman, in the very 
plainest of attire, with a clear, steady, hazel eye, and a 
fresh, healthy complexion, came quietly to his side. 

The coffee is ready, sir, and the papers are in from the 
mail,^^ she would say, her face all aglow with some inward 
gladness. 

And Doctor Morley would nod back, and a sympathetic 
smile brighten over the grave, sallow face. 

^^Then I will go out into the garden at once, Jenny 
Wren, and do you come out with your knitting, for I have 
something to tell you about poor Bob Jardeneer.^^ 

And the doctor walked through the house into the garden 
in the rear, a cozy retreat cut off from the observation of 
the street, or no one there would have pronounced Doctor 
Morley^s house cheerless and dreary; for all the gloom and 
grimness at the front of the mansion was atoned for here. 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDU. 


59 


The high wall was flanked by rows of alternating English 
oaks and Cape pines on either side. The rear of the little 
square was formed by the house walls^ on which ivy and 
training vines festooned a graceful curtain, and in front 
opened a fair prospect of dimpling water, with glimpses of 
sail and steamer flitting across the cove toward the great 
wharf on the other side. In the garden, commanding the 
best view of the cove, was an arbor, in which was set a tiny 
table and a single chair. Here Doctor Morley always found, 
on his return from the hospital rounds, a tray, with a steam- 
ing cup of fragrant coffee, and a plate of some little deli- 
cacy, now of ^ne sort and again of another, according as 
his housekeeper had opportunity to prepare, and always on 
the table was a little wicker-basket containing the day^’s 
mail. 

The housekeeper was this same quiet-eyed, healthful-faced 
young woman, Jane West by name — Jenny Wren, as the 
doctor called her — the nearest approach to a jest that he was 
guilty of. 

Doctor Morley had neither wife nor daughter, mother nor 
sister. Jane West was his only female friend, for she was a 
friend, although she filled also a servant's place. No other 
being in the wide world knew so much of Doctor Morley's 
inner life, his true nature. With the subtle keenness of 
deep affection, Jane West could tell his moods by a single 
glance at his face. To say that she loved her master, would 
but inadequately express the passionate devotion and rev- 
erence with which she looked upon him. The very ground 
he trod, the merest trifle his hand touched, became hallowed 
in her eyes: and to insinuate that any other being in the 
wide world approached him in wisdom, professional attain- 
ment, or heroic self-abnegation, would have been sacrilege to 
the young woman's creed. And yet Jenny Wren did not 
gain her name from any likeness to the thoughtless sportive- 
ness of the songster. If ever there was a sensible, matter- 


60 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE. 


of-fact, steady young woman, that woman was Jan^e West. 
She wasted no time in ideal visions, but put her hands 
energetically to every practical work found before them. 
And it was her peculiar elasticity of disposition, her ability 
to fling off fretting, and make the most of what light and 
joy could be hunted out, that caused Doctor Morley to name 
her for the busy, restless little Wren. 

This young woman^'s history was somewhat peculiar. 
One day Doctor Morley, in going- among the new patients, 
found a black-browed fellow lying on the hospital-bed groan- 
ing in agony, but refusing to receive any attentions of the 
nurse or doctor. The man seemed not only half-crazed 
with pain, but overwhelmed by some great m^tal trouble. 
He was a convict, a mason, and the wall of the building on 
which he had been at work had caved in and carried him 
with it. Frightfully crushed and maimed, his recovery 
seemed the meerest shadow of a chance, and the other doc- 
tors were discussing whether it was of any use to attempt 
amputation, when Doctor Morley appeared upon the scene. 

Without a single word of questioning, the doctor, in that 
cool, magnetic way of his, stepped up to the bed and ex- 
amined the case thoroughly. The bright, dilated eye of 
the patient watched him narrowly, and the flerce impreca- 
tions were silenced. 

^‘^Sir,^^ said the latter, tremulously, ^^what is the word?^^ 

A pretty hard one, my poor fellow, answered the doc- 
tor, in a sorrowful voice. You must suffer terribly at all 
events. 

Hever mind the pain. But can 1 hope to get over it? 
Oh, sir! if you would say that I might. 

But very few things are impossible, my man. In this 
I should say there are ten chances against you for one in 
your favor. 

And there is one then! Oh, sir, Heaven bless you!^^ 


OCTAVIAS PEIDE. 


61 


It is a pitiful chance — don^t build upon it. Ten against 
one. Are you willing to risk it?'^ 

Anything! anything! It will be bad enough at best, 
but I can do something with my hands, and poor little 
Jenny wonT mind a crippled daddy if she has his love. ’ 
Oh, my little Jenny! there will be nobody to love her if I 
die. Her mother went this very year.^^ 

The cold drops stood on his forehead — agony of mind 
beyond torture of body. 

My poor fellow, tell me your story now, before we begin 
with you; just words enough for me to understand how I 
may help your child, if the need comes. 

And then Doctor Morley listened to a pitiful story, com- 
mon enough, too, alas! in the colony, of how the man had 
been lured into wrong by the indulgence of strong drink — 
how when maddened by its poison, and when under the 
pernicious influence of his evil passions he had transgressed 
the laws, been discovered, tried, and sentenced to trans- 
portation. And his faithful wife had followed, and kept as 
near as possible to him, and her love and the glimpses 
caught of his babe had been his sole joy and comfort. 

And now the devoted ivife was dead, and the child was 
left to his sole care. She was there now in the care of the 
matron of the convict boarding-house, a little girl of ten. 
What would become of her if anything should take him 
away? And again he groaned in agony. 

Doctor Morley took the trembling hand in his. 

My poor fellow, rest easy, your child shall not suffer, 
nor want a good home, if she is unfortunate enough to 
lose her father too. Keep up as brave a heart as possible, 
in order to help you through, and believe me that you shall 
have careful treatment. The rest is in Heaven^s hands. 

The poor, suffering creature clung to the cool, strong 
fingers. 

Doctor, doctor! you^re a man to be trusted. You^ve 


62 


0GTAVIA8 PRIDE. 


taken the worst oft my mind. Little Jenny will be cared 
for. Now I am ready for anything. Do what you^re a 
mind to^ doctor. 

You understand the risk — that it is ten against one. 
You wish the amputation to be tried 

Indeed;, sir, I do, and I trust it all to you. It will be 
right for Jenny either way."^^ . 

And so it was. The man sank under the operation, and 
Jane West came to live in Doctor Morley^s house. She had 
been there fifteen years now, and had grown up under his 
eyes into the same staid, discreet, but bright-looking young 
woman. 

He had played with her at first, but in an awkward 
fashion, and he was thankful when her strengthening in- 
tellect allowed him to take her into his studies. It was her 
love for Doctor Morley which first induced her to enter the 
dry precincts of such researches as his, but presently she 
was fascinated and enthralled, and became an eager student 
for herself. 

The doctor often secretly wondered at the aptitude and 
nerve she showed, never shrinking even from the first dis- 
section he allowed her to witness. He took singular pleasure 
in assisting and directing her, playfully called her his young 
student — his embryo doctor. 

Living in their isolated way, it was natural that she 
should share a great deal of his confidence — that he should 
in a measure forget her. sex, and converse upon graver and 
weightier themes than women are accustomed to. 

At first he had, in a blind sort of fashion, tried to cut 
down, and prune his thoughts and instructions into the 
lighter delicacy of diet supposed to be the only digestible 
one for women. But after he came home one day and 
found that she had extracted a tooth, in her intense sym- 
pathy for a suffering child, and performed the — for a wo- 
man — heroic operation successfully and skillfully, he grew 


OGTAVIAS PRIDE. 


63 


to think less about it^ so that it was not long before he 
shared with her all his anxieties concerning his patients — 
allowed her to prepare his medicines, and deal out recipes 
even when he was absent. She held the patients who came 
to the house invariably, under whatever operation might be 
performed, and Doctor Morley, when he saw that however 
intense her womanly sympathy, her nerves never played her 
false, went' so far as to carefully teach her how to set an 
arm, or to tie up an artery, in his own skillful fashion. 

Jane West repaid all the kindness he had manifested 
after she grew to womanhood. When the old housekeeper 
died she^ glided quietly into the place, and her loving ser- 
vice and watchful care made his home a blessed retreat for 
him. The whole study of her life indeed had been to 
please and spare him — to soothe away the pangs of an in- 
ward wound which she knew, because she was so quick to 
read his thoughts, never ceased its smarting night or day. 

And all this is a digression, a look backward, for on the 
morning that I bring the reader to look at Doctor Morley^s 
house, its owner lies stiff and cold in the seldom used state 
parlor, and Jane West is sitting up in her chamber with her 
hands clasped tightly across her forehead, so numb and 
dazed by the sudden blow that she cannot shed a tear. The 
English colors on the hospital cupola and the great flag at 
the Governor's house are at half-mast. The guard that 
goes marching along the promenade under the Cape Pines 
have crape fluttering from their arms, and more than one 
soul in Sydney mourns sincerely for a good man gone. 

He was found dead in his bed, a sweeter smile of restful 
peace on the cold lips than they had often known in life. 

There is a brother of his who lives in Melbourne, but the 
two have had little in common. He has come now, and is 
in the room below with a lawyer. The distance, of course, 
precludes the possibility of summoning English relatives, 
and presently the gathering of friends assembled to pay the 


64 


OCT AVIA 8 PRIDE. 


last honors will bear him to his final rest in an Australian 
grave. 

Jane West^ from her window^ sees the knots of people ap- 
proaching, and presently the .guard, with their crape- 
wreathed arms, stepping slow and solemn before the hearse. 

She shudders, and drops her white face into her hands. 

They will take him away — her best friend— almost her 
only friend — and no one has bidden her to sit among the 
mourners. 

What need?^^ she asks, and looks up pitifully at the sky. 

He already knows that my whole life is darkened — clad in 
mourning. 

And so she sits there in her chamber, with bowed head 
and wide, tearless eyes, while the services proceed. 

It is over at last, and the coffin is borne away. Still she 
sits there numb and tearless. The muffled notes of the 
cathedral bell, tolling for the approach of the funeral train, 
come dully to her ears. The volley, which gives notice that 
the sods are lying now upon that pulseless breast, makes her 
aware of what is passing there in the distant grave-yard. 
Yet the dull, apathetic look does not pass from her face; 
she only leans her head against the sill of the open window 
and looks down into the garden. Doctor Morley will never 
again enter the little arbor. There will be no more coffee 
for her to serve there. This beautiful life of hers has broken 
up sharply enough. She only wonders that the pain does 
not make itself more perceptible. She asks herself vaguely 
if she is not hard-hearted and unfeeling that she cannot 
shed a tear, and then drops her head again on the window- 
sill and pulls the curtains around her. 

An hour or two pass. There are running carriages and 
steps passing into the house, and presently two gentlemen 
pass down out into the garden with cigars. The fine aroma 
rises up to her; but she does not stir, until a scrap of the 


OCTAVIA'S PRIDE, 


65 


conversation comes up also. Then she lifts her head, and 
returning life flashes into it. 

They are talking about Doctor Morley and herself. Cruel ! 
Satanic! How dare they insult the pure honor of the dead 
man, if they have no chivalrous compassion for a defenseless 
woman? She shudders as she hears the new heir^s evil laugh 
and miserable jest. Is this a brother of Doctor Morley? 
Can brethren indeed be so wildly dissimilar? Jane West 
clenches her hands, and glares down upon him through the 
vailing curtains. She takes interest now to look at him. 
The face, with its cold eyes and greedy lips, and narrow 
forehead, bears its own condemnation. She turns her head 
again and listens. 

This girl, you say, knew all his secrets. She shall just 
hand over the recipe for that cordial. I^o doubt she has 
made way with it to suit her own ends. She is keen enough 
to see there is a fortune in it.^^ 

There is no question about that. IVe told the doctor, 
many a time, he could make himself rich on that cordial, 
if he would only ask his price for it. But you know he has 
given it away, far and wide, for just the cost of making. 

^‘^He was an obstinate fool V’ ejaculated the heir, angrily. 

He ought to have left a snug fortune, and there is only 
this estate, and a poor pittance at the bank. I say he was a 
fool.^^ 

How Jane West^s hazel eyes glittered I 
But the cordial recipe will be a fortune. As I said be- 
fore, I am willing to become equal partner in the business. 
And just now when he is dead the demand will be greater 
than ever. They are not to know but he had a great quan- 
tity on hand. But I have searched thoroughly without 
finding the recipe among his papers. The girl knows. It^s 
good luck for me he went ofl sudden. Ifll be bound he 
meant to make a will, and give her what there was. But 


66 


OCT AVI AS PBIDE, 


we must bring her to terms. There^s ways enough^ and I 
swear I sha^n^t scruple about the means I employ. 

They went on talking, but they had moved on farther, 
and Jane lost the rest. But she had heard enough. All 
apathy and numbness had vanished now. The blood went 
tingling and burning through every vein. Her cheeks were 
scarlet, her eyes were two blazing stars. 

Doctor Morley,^^ murmured she, ^^now I can prove my 
gratitude to you. I remember so well what you said to me. 
Oh, I can hear your kind voice this very moment. ^ Jenny 
Wren, I am going to teach you how to make this cordial. 
It is the result of years and years^ close study, and, as you 
know, has proved to be the best thing yet offered, especially 
adapted to the ailments of this climate. I have kept the 
secret from all the rest, because I will not have it made a 
money-making concern. You know how I hate fortunes 
made from the needs or ailments of others. I did not work 
over this that it might be turned into pounds and shillings. 
I think it would haunt me in my grave if it were made up 
and hawked and sold like the quack nostrums. I can trust 
you, child. When I am gone you will make it, as I have 
done, for the poor and wretched.'' 

""That was what you said. Doctor Morley. You shall 
rest peacefully. If they kill me, they shall not wring the 
recipe from me. And there is something else, the secret I 
could never fathom, your great sorrow. I remember what 
you said, as you laid your hand on the little sandal wood box 
in the secret drawer of the secretaire. You said, "Jenny 
Wren, this box of mine must be sent to the address of the 
little package within it, when I am gone. Don^t let the 
lawyers or executors touch it. I give it to your charge.'' 
Oh, how could I have forgotten it! I must snatch it from 
their grasp somehow. This mission I must accomplish, 
and then I must fly from Australia. I know that man as 
well as if I had lived years in his presence. He will hunt me 


OCT AVI a:^ pridr 


67 


down only for the sake of that recipe. And his vile slan- 
ders will poison my life. I will escape from him while yet I 
may.^^ 

She had scarcely composed herself, when a step ap- 
proached her door, and a peremptory knock summoned her 
to open it. 

The new owner was standing there, a thin vail of courtesy 
concealing his eagerness and indignation. 

‘‘1 am sorry to disturb you, but we have been looking 
vainly for my brother's recipe for his famous cordial. There 
is a great demand for it just now, and it will be wise to 
keep up the supply. I presume you can tell us where to 
find it.^^ 

Jane West grew a little paler, but she looked him steadily 
'in the eye. 

am not aware that there has ever been such a recipe 
written down. I am quite sure that Doctor Morley took 
especial pains to keep it in his memory.'’'^ 

The heir glared at her savagely, though he still spoke 
smoothly. 

You know it, which is just as well. Please to write it 
down for me.'’^ 

She stood grave and steady. 

have nothing to write, sir. Doctor Morley was very 
careful to give every one to understand that there was to be 
no regular manufacture of the cordial after his death. 

^^Do you mean to say that you do not know how it was 
compounded. What were the ingredients?^^ 

Jane was silent. 

Answer me,'’^ said he, fiercely. Do you know how the 
cordial was made?"^ 

Grave and steady still was Jane WesPs reply. 

I do know, but I shall never tell you. Doctor Morley 
charged me to see that it was never made for money, and I 
shall keep my word to him.'^^ 


68 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


A muttered oath burst from the heir, he looked a mo- 
ment at the pale, resolute face, then whirled suddenly, 
seized the key from the inside of the lock, and closing the 
door, locked it and put the key in his pocket. 

^^We will see, young woman, if there is not a way to 
bring you to terms. Y on will find you are not dealing with 
Doctor Morley now,^^ said he from the outside, and then 
slowly descended the stairs. 

Jane West went back and sat down by the window, which 
was in the third story of a rear wing. 

^^ISTow,^^ said she, I have any wit it is the time for 
me to exercise it.'’^ 


CHAT>TER VII. 

LOKD KOLAND. 

Miss Wainwright set herself at once upon the accom- 
plishment of the errand which had brought her to London. 
She questioned the butler and housekeeper eagerly to know 
which was the most skillful physician in town, and was an- 
noyed to find that their opinions varied, with equally good 
authority for the same. 

Suddenly an idea came to her, and she turned in her 
peremptory fashion. 

Thomas, do you know whether either Lord or Lady 
Falkner are at their town residence 

^^I think they are. Miss Wainwright. I heard some- 
thing from their footman about their coming to make ready 
for a journey to Scotland. Shall I go and see?^'’ 

^^hTo, bring the carriage again, and I will go over at 
once. I remember hearing Lady Mary telling her sister 
about some physician whose cures were something magical. 
I will learn, if I can, where to find him.*"^ 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


69 


The carriage was brought, and the lady entered it and 
was borne swiftly toward the stately square of aristocratic 
mansions. 

The card of Miss Wainwright found Lady Mary Falkner 
just entered into the drawing-room with her few lady 
guests, leaving the gentlemen still at the dinner table. She 
was a tall woman, with stately presence, with a fair, refined 
face which still showed signs of its early beauty. 

She took the card from the salver indifferently, but her 
face brightened as she read the name. 

^^Why, it is Octavia Wainwright. Of course I will see 
her, but what can this urgent matter be? My dear 
countess, you will excuse me a little while, I am sure. 
The dear girl has penned a line that her errand is of much 
importance. 

This last was addressed to a very pompous and disagree- 
able looking woman in a stiff black satin dress, with a pro- 
fusion of magnificent diamond ornaments. 

To be sure. But who is the person; not one of our set, 
of course. There is no such name in the peerage. 

Lady Mary smiled quietly. 

She is a very charming person, and it is an old and 
wealthy family. Don^t you know the Wainwrights, of 
Hertfordshire? Octavia is the sole heiress, and is a very 
accomplished and beautiful girl. If I can prevail upon her 
to stay, I will bring her in here. Lady Blanche, I am sure 
you will be good enough to sing some of your charming 
ballads for the ladies while I am absent, and I will tell 
James to send do^j^n the governess to accompany you, if 
you like. The music will best entice the gentlemen from 
their wine and cigars.'’^ 

And having arranged for the entertainment of her guests. 
Lady Mary passed out toward the reception-room. 

Octavia Wainwright turned an eager face toward her the 
moment the door unclosed. 


70 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


My dear Lady Falkner, I beg that you will not think me 
presumptuous. I am now first aware that you have com- 
pany in the house. I am very sorry that I have called you 
away from your guests.'’^ 

There is no occasion for you to be troubled, my dear/^ 
said her ladyship, kindly. There are only a few friends 
who are to be in our party for Scotland. Let me beg of 
you to come up to the dressing-room and remove your 
wrappers. We shall all be delighted at such an acquisition 
to our circle. Spend the night with us, Octavia.^^ 

^^Oh, no, it is impossible; many thanks, however, for 
your ladyship^s kindness. I am tired, and anxious, and a 
a little sad. I have come up by carriage this afternoon 
from Wainwright Slope. My father is ill. I am troubled 
about him, and dissatisfied with his physician, and that is 
my errand here. I heard you talking with Lady Prances 
Mainwaring about some physician whose cures were almost 
miraculous. It occurred to me when I was debating what 
London doctor to take down with me, and when I learned 
you were in town I came here at once. You know I was 
so anxious I could not trust the matter to any of the ser- 
vants. If you will be so good as to give me his name I will 
go and leave you to return to your guests.'’^ 

Lady Falkner looked sympathizingly into her pale face. 

My dear girl, it was too much for you to come here 
after the journey. Why did you not send for me?"^ 

I might have sent a note, but I fancied I could better 
understand from a personal interview. You remember, do 
you not, your ladyship , 

^^I am trying to recall. Sir James Winston is our own 
family physician, but I am not sure he is any better or 
more skillful than several others. I was not aware I ever 
spoke of him in such positive terms. 

^^It was at the Viscountess Stanhope^s dinner party. 
Lady Frances began the subject. I remembered it because 


OCTAVIA'S PBIDK 


71 


she seemed so enthusiastic. She said the wide world held 
not such another devotee to the healing art. She seemed 
to he telling you about him, as though she had seen him 
lately.^^ 

Her ladyship had taken the easy-chair beside her visitor, 
and her white hands, a-sparkle with gems, were dropped 
listlessly into her lap. At this speech of Octavia^s a tremor 
ran through them, and the slender fingers clenched at the 
silken folds of her dress. 

Ah!^^ said she, I remember now. It was all true what 
Lady Frances said, but it will not help you any, my dear 
girl. Sir Hugh, you know, had the governorship out there 
in Sydney, and Lady Frances was with him. It was of a 
doctor there she was speaking, a man, indeed, without a 
peer — Doctor Morley.'^ 

As sh^ spoke the name her ladyship^s voice fell a little, a 
little quiver crossed the face, the eyes took on a far-off, 
melancholy look. 

Octavia Wainwright answered hastily in a voice of keen 
regret. 

^‘^Alas! I am deeply grieved to hear it. I have been 
resting so much faith and hope upon him, for I knew that 
neither you nor Lady Frances, gave your praise lightly. I 
must do the best I can, then. You recommend me to take 
Sir James Winston 

We put our own family under his care. I am grieved 
for you, my dear; but I hope it is an unnecessary alarm. 
How long has General Wainwright been ill?^^ 

Several weeks; but I was not alarmed until to-day. 
How long, I wonder, Vould it take to send to Sydney and 
bring this Doctor Morley here?^^ 

Too long to bb of any avail. Besides, no inducement 
would persuade him to leave. He is giving a life and 
genius that would bring him countless gold and high fame 
here in London to a hospital of those wretched convicts/^ 


72 


OCT AVIA'S PRIDE. 


There were melancholy and bitterness both in her lady- 
ship^s voice. 

How very strange and unlike other practitioners/^ said 
Miss AVainwright. 

Arthur Morley is unlike all other men/^ returned Lady 
Falkner; nobler, truer, worthier every way, and yet — 
she added, the words slowly and drearily— more unhappy 
and unfortunate than all others. 

There was a moment^s silence. 

Miss AVainwright refrained from breaking it, for she saw 
the dreamy, abstracted look on the fair aristocratic face of 
her hostess. 

The latter rose suddenly. 

But I must not give Ronald opportunity to reproach 
me for not allowing him a moments speech with you. He 
will wish to speak with you, though it is only to say a ^ngle 
word.'’^ 

She took a card from the silver tray, penciled a few lines 
upon it, and rang the bell. 

Give it to the butler, and tell him to hand it to Lord 
Ronald at the table, she commanded. 

Oct avia AA"ainwright made a dissenting gesture, but seemed 
to repent the moment after, for no words came from her 
lips. She had met Lord Ronald Falkner at the aristocratic 
gatherings of the past season, and though his rank and 
family were so much above her own, she had not failed to 
discover that he was strongly attached to whatever group 
she had chanced to join. 

Lady Mary had taken unusual pains, besides, to be kind 
and friendly. Miss AVainwright was not too dull to guess 
that the AVainwright fortune, added to her own grace and 
beauty, would amply atone for the deficiency of rank, and 
that her ladyship would warmly welcome her as a daughter- 
in-law, thus making herself secure of mesalliancey 


OGTAVIA'S PRIDE. 


73 


of which there was naturally some danger with such a sus- 
ceptible and somewhat wild young man as her son. 

She found herself wondering vaguely if Lady Mary had 
heard any hint of the law suit so soon to come before the 
court; if she guessed any of the issues at stake^ if Middle- 
ton vs. Wainwright was decided for the plaintiffs? 

Lord Eoland was young, hne looking, intelligent, and gen- 
tlemanly, only a little wild, and he was a peer, and his wife 
would be Lady Falkner, the mistress of a fine old mansion 
in the country, whose portrait gallery held faces that had 
smiled in life amid the regal scenes wherein they enter- 
tained a sovereign and the royal suite. Closely attached to 
the crown had the Falkners always been, and won many 
marks of royal favor, and though the revenues of the 
estate had somewhat fallen off, the family still held a high 
position among the nobility. 

Octavia Wainwright was not one to forget or ignore all 
these advantageous circumstances. Her pride had been 
carefully fostered, and had grown with her years. Her 
ambition, too, was unbounded. She had a sort of creed that 
every person is obligated to rise as far as possible above the 
original station into which they are born. .To step below, 
or stoop an inch, was treason or crime in her code. To 
win the envied position of Lady Falkner was as high a step 
as she could hope to make. She had never before been 
quite sure that it was in her power. How, however, she 
read in Lady Mary^s affectionate smile, and was confirmed 
by the glow which brightened the young lord^s face when he 
came hastening into the room, that it was possible. How 
proud and glad such a triumph would make her father! 
Ah! but there was the case. Middleton vs. Wainwright. 
What if the plaintiff won? The very thought sent a slow 
shudder creeping throogh her veins. 

But her sad smile was natural enough, and very charming 
in Lord Eonald^s eyes. 


74 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDE. 


dear Miss Wainwright, this is an unexpected honor 
and pleasure exclaimed he, coming forward with extended 
hand. But why do I see you still in your hat and shawl? 
Mamma, I am sure you have been coaxing her to brighten 
our drawing-room this evening. What liave you left un- 
said, that I may try my eloquence 

"‘'Nothing, I am sure, that her kind hospitality could 
urge,'’^ returned Miss Wainwright; ""but it is quite imprac- 
ticable. I am a more impulsive creature than people credit 
me. I rode in from home this afternoon to obtain for dear 
papa the very best physician, and I came for Lady Falkner^s 
advice in the selection. 

""General Wainwright ill? I am extremely pained to 
hear it. It is nothing really serious, I hope?'’^ 

Miss Wainwright cast down her eyes, and the red lip 
quivered. 

"" I did not think it was, until this afternoon, and now I 
am wretchedly nervous and frightened. He is all I have — 
my dear papaP 

""You must not be nervous, or you will be ill yourself. 
Mamma, I am sure Miss Wainwright ought to have a glass 
of ‘wine, or a cup of tea. She looks so pale ! I am going 
to excuse myself at the table; and then. Miss Wainwright, 
I shall go myself and see Sir James. He is crochety and 
stubborn at times, and I happen to know he objects to going 
out of town. I shall insist that he obeys your summons 
promptly.'’^ 

"" Thank you. It is very kind in you to interest your- 
self for us. I shall return to Wainwright Slope as soon as 
possible in the morning, unless Sir James will go to-night. 

""Oh, no. Miss Wainwright! Think of the fatigue 
said the. young lord, with a look of the most flattering 
anxiety. 

""My dear girl,^^ added Lady Mary, ""it would be the 
height of imprudence. Go, Konald, to your guests, I shall 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


75 


take Miss Wainwright up stairs with me^ and coax her to 
take some refreshment. You, meanwhile, may find Sir 
James, and bring his report to us. You will consent, my 
dearr 

Octavia yielded gracefully. 

An hour afterward, when she sat in Lady Mary^s luxuri- 
ous boudoir, confessing to herself how much she had been 
calmed and strengthened under the bitterns delicate atten- 
tions and friendly care. Lord Eonald made his appearance, 
with the welcome tidings that Sir James would go to Wain- 
wright Slope very early in the morning. 

Was he very reluctant, asked Octavia. 

Nothing more than his usual caprice. I believe doctors 
are the most tyrannical of mortals.'’^ 

^"Not all,'’^ said Lady Mary, suddenly, and the far-off 
look came again into her eyes. 

Ah, by the way, that reminds me. I saw Lady Frances 
yesterday, mamma, and she asked me if you had noticed the 
last advices from Australia. She gave me a little paragraph 
she had cut from a Sydney paper. It is in my diary 

He took out a little silver-clasped diary, found the printed 
slip between its leaves, and handed it to her. 

Lady Mary had turned pale at the mention of Australia. 
She held the paper with a fierce clasp, and without a word 
walked into the little dressing-room beyond, closing the 
door noiselessly behind her. 

There was a pretty bay-window, sumptuously curtained, 
and a light vine from the ceiling, through its dainty porce- 
lain morning glow, lapped a tongue of fiame which illumin- 
ated the cozy retreat. 

Lady Falkner entered it and dropped the curtains behind 
her. 

^^News from liiniy of course, she, murmured. think 
I guess the import. He has married at last.^^ 

She spread out the crumpled morsel, read the first line, 


76 


OGTAVIA'8 PRIDE, 


and, throwing np her arms wildly, staggered against the 
wall. 

^^Dead! dead! Arthur Morley dead! Oh, pitiful 
Heaven V’ 

The dressing-maid in the room beyond heard a slight cry, 
and came into the room to find her mistress lying between 
the curtains parted by her fall, with closed eyes and clenched 
hands, nearly if not quite insensible. 

Her assiduous efforts restored consciousness. 

Lady Mary^s pale lips asked, hastily: 

You have alarmed no one, D elide 

^^No, your ladyship.'’^ 

That is well. It was very thoughtful of you. Bring 
me a cordial and a glass of cold water. I shall be better 
presently. I must go down to the drawing-room, for the 
countess will be exceedingly indignant. Make my excuses 
to Miss Wainwright, and say that I beg of her to remain 
to-night.'’* 

She took the cordial and drank eagerly of the water, and 
then Delicie went into the boudoir to perform her errand. 

Lady Falkner clasped her hands across her heart, and 
murmured, in a voice of unutterable anguish: 

^^Dead! dead! and never a word of forgiveness for me! 
Too late! too late for forgiveness or atonement! Oh, Arthur 
Morley, hard as your fate was, it has been bliss in compari- 
son to mine! You have gone to obtain a sainFs, a martyFs 
reward, and I — live on in gilded misery, hiding my hateful 
secret, concealing my remorseful woe!^^ 

She sat there a little longer, pale, weary, languid; but 
when Delicie returned, she said, hastily: 

You must get me a glass of wine, Delicie, and I believe 
you may touch my cheeks with rouge. And perhaps you 
had better give me your arm to the drawing-room door. I 
must get through the evening somehow. Are the gentle- 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


77 


men out from the dining-room? And what did MissWain- 
wright say?^^ 

^‘She was just going, my lady. She left her thanks for 
youT kindness. Lord Konald escorted her to the carriage. 
I think the gentlemen are all in the drawing-room. Miss 
Anstruther is playing and Lady Florence singing. 

Then, I need not hurry. Only a little rouge — just 
enough to hide my pallor. Be ready to get me speedily to 
bed when I am able to escape; I shall be worn out and ex- 
hausted, I know. There, you are a good girl, Delicie. I 
am tired of those jet bracelets, and you may take them. 
You will not mention this illness to any one?^^ 

'No, my lady, certainly not. But it is wicked that you 
should be obliged to go down to-night. 

There are a great many wicked things in this world, 
Delicie, child, said Lady Falkner, and sighed — oh, so 
drearily. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

COUNTED THE COST.^^ 

Middleton vs. WainwrighP^ had not attracted so much 
public attention, because of the secrecy with which the 
plaintiff had conducted the case. He did not talk over his 
affairs in any public places; he made no appeal for sympathy, 
nor in any way spread abroad the particulars of the case. 
This was owing mostly to the careful instructions of his 
eldest son, although Mr. John Middleton himself was 
naturally a reticent man. 

Those, of course, familiar with the talk in and about the 
court-house, understood that a great and important question 
was pending, but somehow the immediate friends and ac- 
quaintances of the Wainwrights did not get hold of the 


78 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


matter. The case came on, then, without any remarkable 
attendance to listen to the testimony, beyond those imme- 
diately interested. 

General Wainwright had fumed and rebelled, declaring 
that he himself must be present, and had daunted physician 
and nurse both by his fierce resentment of their well-meant 
expostulations. He threw first one pillow, and then the 
other at his valet who stood hesitating to obey the order to 
bring him a riding-suit, and finally leaped out of bed, rage 
lending him the strength which would otherwise have failed 
him, and rushed into the dressing-room. Mrs. Willis re- 
treated to the door in dismay and alarm ; the valet stood 
trembling, and the doctor angry, when Miss W^ainwright 
came in upon the stormy scene. 

The calm blue eyes widened and dilated. She lifted a 
lily hand commandingly, but she spoke sweetly and ten- 
derly. 

My dear father, it is very imprudent of you to leave 
your bed to-day; I am hoping that I shall have the plea- 
sure of escorting you to my boudoir next week ; but if you 
are so careless as this I am afraid of disappointment. Let 
me help you back, sir. I know it is very hard to be patient 
so long, but disregard of the doctor^s commands will only 
put off the date of recovery. 

The irascible general stood looking at her half indignantly, 
half imploringly. 

^‘^It is important that I should be there at the trial, Octa- 
via. I shall ride every step of the way, and be warmly 
dressed. It will be far worse to be shut up here fretting and 
pining, knowing things may go wrong. 

^^But you must not fret or fume. You have confidence 
in Screw & Scattergood, and did you not promise to leave it 
all in my hands? I am going to be present myself. I will 
bring you a full and faithful report of the proceedings, 
Dixon, help your master back to his bed.'’^ 


OOTAVIAS PBIDK 


79 


With a face crest-fallen and humiliated like that of a 
scolded child the old man returned to bed. 

If you are goings it is another thing/^ he muttered, and 
turned his face to the pillow. 

She bent down and kissed him, and said softly, in a voice 
of unutterable tenderness: 

Dear papa, don^t think I am a tyrant; but I cannot 
afford to allow any risk to your precious life. Who has but 
one treasure guards it jealously.'’^ 

The look and the words were more potent than the man^s 
own imperious will. His vexation and anger dropped away 
from him. The querulous lines smoothed away from his 
lips, a tender glance illumined his eye. 

^^Octavia, my darling! my darling repeated he. 

Dear papa, you are going to rest quiet and easy. You 
know how much emphasis Sir J ames left upon those orders. 
It will pay me a poor compliment if you cannot trust me to 
look after this matter. I shall come home with good tidings. 
And do you do your part by being calm and quiet. 

I will do my best, Octavia. How will you go? Whom 
will you take for escort ?^^ 

am not sure that I need any; but Felix, no doubt, 
would go, if I asked him. I do not care to take any of our 
acquaintances, to have the affair gossiped over by and by, 
and continually brought to remembrance.'’^ 

Felix will do very well. Take him, by all means, and 
select a retired seat, where you will not be annoyed by the 
stares of those insolent Middletons. 

Octavia^s red lip curled. 

I am not afraid of the Middletons, and I do not believe 
they will dare to annoy me with a single look, after they 
once meet my glance of scorn. But remember your part of 
the contract, to have a quiet day and night. And now^ 
good-day. The carriage will be waiting. 


80 


OGTAVIAS PRIDE, 


She kissed him again, and left him, looking wistfully and 
fondly after her. 

She looked into the library, iut Felix was not there. He 
came down the stairs, however, just as she was crossing the 
hall below, and she noticed at once that he was more care- 
fully dressed than usual. 

Are you going away? I was just about to ask for your 
company to hear the testimony in this curious trial which 
commences to-day, she said, carelessly. Perhaps you 
will not care to go?^^ 

On the contrary, I am very anxious to he present, he 
answered, coloring slightly; though I did not expect to 
accompany you.'’^ 

^^Are you ready now? The carriage is waiting, I be- 
lieve.''^ 

Quite ready, was the brief reply, as he took her shawl 
from the maid^s arm, and led the way out. 

Miss Wainwright was conscious of something peculiar in 
his look, but was hardly interested enough to fathom it. 
She settled herself among the cushions of the carriage, 
leaned back her head, and dropped her vail. 

Felix was equally abstracted and silent. 

As the carriage drew up before the building in which 
the judge of the shire held his court, the latter started 
nervously, and said hastily, in a voice half-stifled with 
some mysterious emotion: 

^‘^Miss Wainwright, if this trial should conclude in a 
different manner than you expect, I wish you would re- 
member that — ^that I am your friend 

She put up her vail to look curiously into his face, and 
said, half disdainfully: 

Of course, I do not expect you are an enemy, Felix. 
And as for the trial, I have told you, before this, that I 
am not afraid. 

Felix sat gnawing impatiently at his lip. 


OGTAVIA'8 PBIDE. 


81 


Oh^ would it not be something to see this haughty, 
imperious creature humiliated, and humbled? Amid his 
passionate love there ran a wild thrill of anger and resent- 
ment. He could rejoice in her downfall, though he meant 
his should be the hand to lift her back to pride and 
power. 

Nothing more was said. She dropped ’her vail, and was 
assisted from the carriage. 

Felix followed her, and found a good seat for her in the 
visitors^ gallery. 

Proceedings had already commenced, and testimony been 
introduced to prove Mr. John Middleton^s identity as the 
son of a certain Augustus Middleton, whose change of name 
was likewise well established. To one not vitally interested 
the testimony elucidated was rather dull and monotonous. 

Miss Wainwright, however, never moved her eyes from 
the scene, nor lost a word. Felix knew, by her attitude 
and the poise of her stately head, that she was giving 
breathless attention. He was thankful when the warmth 
of the air induced her to throw aside the heavy vail which 
concealed the expression of her face, and watched her nar- 
rowly, irritated at the tranquil calmness there, when for 
himself the blood seemed seething and boiling in his veins. 
He saw her lip curl disdainfully when his father moved 
around, and whispered a word with his counsel. The 
lawyers on the defendant's side looked unconcerned like- 
wise. 

Felix searched over their sphinx faces for an explanation, 
but did not find it. 

^^Do they think we have been playing a child^s game,^^ 
thought he, or have they obtained an inkling of Merle^s 
disappearance according to Mi§^ WainwrighFs conjecture? 
They do not guess the card we mean to play. But I wish 
I knew what trump they are themselves holding back.""^ 

Scattergood announced that the defendants demanded 


82 


OCT AVI A 8 PRIDE, 


proof of the said Augustus Middleton^s legal marriage, 
averring that it was utterly and thoroughly denied by them, 
and that the whole case hinged upon this matter. 

The counsel for the plaintiff replied that it was their 
purpose to bring forward a witness whose testimony would 
have established the validity of the marriage beyond any 
questioning. They had been waiting impatiently for his 
appearance. It was possible he was now in the court-room 
among the spectators, although his failure to meet the early 
appointment gave them serious alarm. 

The name was called, clearly and distinctly. Every one 
in the great room heard it. 

Matlieio Merle, of Calcutta, 

Utter stillness and a long hush, broken only by the 
movement of people looking all • around to discover any 
signs of the missing witness, followed, but there was no 
response. 

Mathew Merle, of Calcutta, was not there. 

Octavia Wainwright showed her first sign of excitement. 
A little red spot gathered on the lily of her cheek. She 
turned her stately head and glanced at Felix with a mean- 
ing smile. 

He was clenching his hands merely to conceal how his 
limbs were trembling. 

Wait a moment, my proud lady,^^ was his inward cry. 

Looking very grave and annoyed, the counsel for the 
plaintiff went on to say that under this unexpected turn of 
affairs, his next best movement was to introduce a witness 
who had heard the said Mathew Merle declare that there 
was no chance for doubting the claim of the Middle- 
tons over the present incumbents for the Wainwright prop- 
erty; who had twice listened to Merle^s solemn assertion 
that he himself was. present at the marriage of Augustus 
Middleton, nee Wainwright. 

Accordingly James Ferguson was brought to the standj 



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84 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


a slim, rather unprepossessing man of middle age, but he 
was a grand witness, clear, unwavering, concise. The most 
adroit cross-questioning did not shake his testimony. This 
Mathew Merle had solemnly assured him that he himself 
was present al^ the marriage; had declared that General 
Geoffrey Wainwright had no valid claim to the property, 
and showed him plainly how the grandson of Augustus 
Middleton was the true heir before any children of his 
younger brother. 

There was no question that this witness made a deep im- 
pression. 

Felix turned his glittering eye upon Miss Wainwright, ^ 
and was startled to find that though her beautiful color had 
fled from her face she was still cool and smiling. 

His card was played and it was not a trivial or worthless 
one. How what was coming from the other side? Some- 
thing of importance — he felt it, he knew it, and he could 
have shaken his father for the triumphant air with which 
he looked over to Scattergood, who was twirling a pencil 
carelessly in his fingers. 

Scattergood only made a little signal to his associate, who 
went out for a moment into the anteroom, and returning, 
produced a witness for their own side. A legal practitioner 
from a neighboring town, who, after taking the oath, stood 
ready to respond to the questioning. 

V Ho you know the last witness, the man still standing 
below by the side of the pillar 

do. It is James Ferguson, son of Hoah and Cath- 
erine Ferguson, of Cornwall.'’^ 

State the circumstances of your acquaintance with 
him.^^ 

I was counsel for the crown in a suit brought against 
him for forgery. 

^^How did the suit end?^^ 


OCT AVIA'S PBIDE. 


85 


the sentence of James Ferguson to fiveyeaFs impris- 
onment/^ 

Every word fell clear and distinct. The witness stood a 
moment waiting for any cross-questioning, bowed, and 
stepped aside. 

Scattergood smiled grimly at the row of astonished, crest- 
fallen faces on the other side, and before they had recov- 
ered from their confusion had called another witness, the 
keeper of a jail in Cornwall, who testified that James Fer- 
guson had served out his sentence under his care. 

Ferguson himself, after turning into as many colors as a 
chameleon, suddenly darted into the anteroom, and John 
Middleton followed, raging. 

Felix felt the salt taste of the blood oozing from the lip 
into which he had set his teeth savagely. His trump card 
worthless! The testimony that was to win the case, and 
give him Octavia W ainwright, set aside entirely. He could 
have cursed himself for his stupidity. Why had he not 
taken pains to ascertain the antecedents of the man he had 
taken such pains to put into Mathew Merle^s place. He 
counted over what that man had already cost them, and 
here he was, incompetent to testify. Ho wonder Octavia 
Wainwright despised him. 

He glanced over to her and saw the haughty face still se- 
date and calm, but there was exultant triumph in her eye. 

She planned it all. She has known it all the time,^^ 
thought he, and for all the fierceness of his rage could not 
but give his tribute of admiration. 

When the proceedings ended by the Middletons, after a 
hasty consultation, yielding the case for the present, with a 
threatening hint to bring overwhelming evidence to a second 
trial, Felix escorted Miss Wainwright to her carriage. 

An iron statue could scarcely have looked more stiff, and 
grim, and hard than Felix as he took the seat opposite, 
while she had never been more radiant and dazzling. 


86 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


Smiles were chasing across her face, her eyes sparkled, her 
cheeks glowed. She was so happy, so wrapped up in her own 
pleasant thought, for some little time she gave no heed to 
him, hut presently she turned: 

Ah, Felix, it will be better than all the medicine, when 
I get back to papa and tell him that his anxieties may end. 
Is it not glorious for me to go back to him with these 
tidings?"^ 

I do not know as you are safe to say so much as that,^^ 
answered he, without turning his averted face to look at 
her. It may only be a question of time. The Middletons 
are in earnest, and think they have the right on their side. 
It was a poor trick, after all, which saved you. That Fer- 
guson^’s testimony was correct, only his character ruined its 
acceptance. I think you will hear from them sooner or 
later. 

She glanced sharply toward him, but answered gayly: 

^^I am not afraid of them. They must hunt up this 
Mathew Merle whom they have set adrift. I think, and 
here her laugh rippled out again, think, Mr. Felix 
Thorne Middleton, even you will admit that I am a match 
for you.^^ 

Felix turned his face now and showed it tb her, ghastly 
beneath emotion.. The eyes held a red glow under the 
iris, the lips looked like those of a dead person. 

You know — you know,^^ faltered he — since when?^^ 

Since a week ago — the night, in fact, when you brought 
your reliable Mr. Ferguson to isee that old man, Mathew 
Merle.^^ 

A cry that was like a wail broke from his lips. 

^^Miss Wainwright! Octavia! if you are able to pierce so 
deep into a man^s guarded secrets, you must see and know 
the rest. Does it rouse in you no compassion, no mercy, to 
see how fierce and consuming is that passion of mine? 
You know — ^you cannot help knowing, that to win you I 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


87 


would peril my life a thousand times^ and risk something 
even more sacred, my very souks salvation. Dare you, 
knowing so much, spurn me from you?"'' 

She did not answer him, only sighed once, and the ani- 
mated glow on her face faded out. ^ 

Felix looked at the proud, beautiful face, wlule a passion 
of rage, and indignation, and fierce love swept over him, 
shaking him as the tempest fiutters a leaf. When it was 
over, he was stern and frigid. 

As they drew up at the great door of the Wainwright 
mansion, he sprang out, assMed her with punctilious po- 
liteness to descend, and then stood, hat in hand, while she 
turned to ascend the stone steps. 

Be good enough to say to the general. Miss Wainwright, 
that unexpected circumstances will oblige me to terminate 
my engagement with him. If there is anything which re- 
quires my attention, he can send to this address."" 

He penciled a hasty line on a card, and laid it on the 
gloved hand. 

Octavia turned, and looked at him in profound astonish- 
ment. 

What! are you not coming into the house?"" 

^^Ho, Miss Wainwright; never again under the same roof 
with your hard heart and scornful eyes. I wish you good- 
evening."" 

He turned swiftly, and was gone. 

She stood at the head of the steps, looking after him. 

^‘'Poor Felix!"" murmured she; and then she added, men- 
tally: shall miss him; the house will be dull without 

him."" 

She went slowly into the hall, straight up the stairs, into 
her father"s chamber. There her new gravity fell away, and 
the radiance and animation returned. 

The invalid"s face showed how he had watched and 


88 


0CTAVIA8 PBIDE. 


waited, as well as the worn and jaded countenance of poor 
Willis betrayed the trying day she had spent. 

Octavia swept up to the bedside, her sparkling eyes tell- 
ing all without the need of an articulated word. 

General Wainwright sat up in bed, and drew one long, 
shuddering breath of relief from a terrible load. 

^^We are safe, Octavia, my darling! You have brought 
me good news!^^ 

Yes, papa, just what I promised you; and yet you have 
not kept faith with me. You have fretted and chafed, and 
had no trust. 

^^Tell it over to me!^^ he cried, eagerly. „ 

She sat down beside the bed, both hands holding his, and 
patiently repeated it all. 

Screw and Scattergood are keen as briers he cried, 
jubilantly. Who but they would have ferreted out the 
antecedents of that Ferguson, or kept such sharp watch of 
the enemy^s movements?^’ 

She smiled quietly, and did not tell him whose quick 
sagacity had put the threads of evidence into the lawyers^ 
hands. 

I am very tired, said she, presently. 

^^My poor darling! and I am selfishly keeping you here. 
Go for rest and refreshment, and you may say good-night 
now. I shall sleep without tormenting dreams to-night. 

Miss AVainwright gathered up her shawl, kissed him, and 
went away. AVhen her dressing-maid had made her com- 
fortable in her own room, she leaned her head back against 
the cushions of the easy-chair, and closed her eyes. 

Her meditations, however, were not agreeable, for a 
frown, or a shudder, rather, knit a moment the arched 
eyebrows, and drew down the scarlet lips. 

I counted the cost in the commencement,^^ murmured 
she. It is weakness to be stabbing myself with reproaches 
now/^ 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


89 


Shortly after, she spoke again: ^^Poor Felix! I shall 
miss him!^^ 

The general, as he prophesied, passed an unusualy com- 
fortable night. His daughter, on the contrary, lay awake, 
staring, with dry, feverish eyes, into the dimness. 


CHAPTER •IX. 

BEAVE JE]NKY WEEl^-. 

^^Now,^^ said Jane West, ‘^^if I have any woman^s wit, I 
must find it. Here I am, locked in my room, three win- 
dows up from the ground, and below are those two men, 
cruel, wicked creatures, inebriated with the worst of all in- 
toxication, the maddened thirst for gold. This is only the 
commencement of my persecution. No one can say to what 
lengths they may push it, and I am here alone, a single, 
weaponless woman, to defend myself against two men, with 
the advantages all on their side. Of course I am justified in 
using strategy, and I am at perfect liberty to depart. My 
master, who alone had the power of controlling my actions, 
lies dead — woe is me! — and has no further need of me, ex- 
cept for this thing, to save that packet from those prying 
eyes and greedy hands. I will do it. Just now I do not 
see the way, but the knowledge will come. And they shall 
not obtain from me the cordial recipe — no, not if they 
stretch me on a rack and torture me to obtain a single 
hint.'’^ 

She went to the window and looked out sharply and scru- 
tinizingly. The distance to the ground did not daunt her. 
She was confident that she could manufacture a rope to let 
her down safely. Biit the question was how to get into the 
lower story without arousing any one, and to get also to the 
inside of Dr. Morley^s secretaire. 


90 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


The one under-servant belonging to the establishment was 
a new woman^ only a short time out from serving a sentence 
for theft, who had only been there a month. Ah ! if old 
Martha were back again it would have easily been managed. 
But Martha had gone home to England to die and be buried 
among her kindred. • Sore as was her need of the faithful 
old creature^s co-operation, J ane could not find heart to re- 
gret the fact, and her eye^ moistened, remembering whose 
thoughtful care had sent the poor creature home. The 
present woman, without doubt, would be easily modeled to 
the new master' s will. Yes, it was very certain she must 
rely entirely upon herself. 

Jane West did not weep, and moan, and bewail her hard 
fate. She did not sink down, weak and helpless, nor faint 
away, nor use any of the other useless and pitiable methods 
by which a certain style of distressed damsels meet such an 
exigency. She set her lips together a little more resolutely; 
the hazel eyes dried off the tears of grieved affection and 
shone firm and steady. 

It must be done,^'’ she said, and I must do it.^^ 

Then, under cover of the curtain, she put out her head 
and looked carefully over the whole wall of the house. In 
a moment the light she asked for broke upon her. She 
smiled triumphantly. 

^^ I can lower myself to the ground, then I c^n climb up 
the great tin water-spout and get upon the roof. The trap- 
door there is never locked, and I can get through it into the 
house. Just after midnight will be the time. I wish I had 
taken dinner. I need to be strong and steady. I wonder 
if they intend to starve me.^^ 

She went to the door and began knocking loudly and per- 
sistently, and, as she anticipated, the disturbance brought 
one of the jailers in hot haste. 

^^What are you after? What are you making this con- 
founded noise for?^^ demanded the new master, indignantly. 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDK 


91 


from the top of the stairs. If you don^t want to be put 
in narrower quarters yet^ you had best be quiet. 

I wish to ask you by what authority you restrain the 
liberty of an innocent person. I can demand the protection 
of the governor. I have had no food to-day, and you have 
locked me here where I can obtain none/^ was the reply, in 
quiet but resolute tones. 

She is a tartar, muttered Mr. Aaron Morley, and went 
down the stairs again. Jane guessed that he had left her to 
her fate, and began knocking again. She was not surprised, 
therefore, at sounds of his return. He unlocked the door, 
took a tray of food from the hands of the servant who had 
accompanied him, and brought it in and put it on the 
table. 

There is food,'^^ he said. would like to treat you 
well, if you would let me. Come, girl, be reasonable. This 
recipe is my right, and I ought to have it. It is ridiculous 
in you to refuse me. Should you attempt to make your 
own fortune out of it, I shall straightway bring a suit against 
you.^^ 

I told you, sir, that Doctor Morley especially instructed 
me that no fortune should ever be made from it. I shall 
" never use it, unless such an unlikely thing as becoming rich 
should allow me. Then I would come back to Sydney, 
make the cordial, and give it, as he had done, for the poor 
and suffering. 

Meantime, as you are not rich, the sick people must go 
without it,^^ said he, restraining for the time the expression 
of his anger. 

He saw the look of distress on her face, brought there by 
this new suggestion, and followed up the advantage. 

Yes; think of the poor creatures you condemn to suffer- 
ing, pessibly to death, by this foolish and obstinate whim. 
How dare you^be so cruel and inhuman. 

Jane looked down, perplexed for a moment. 


92 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


Would it be right after all? The poor people had better 
pay their hard-earned money for it^ rather than not have it 
at all. Suddenly there came to her^ so suddenly that it 
seemed like a. whisper from an invisible presence^ the re- 
membrance of a day when Doctor Morley and she had 
been filling bottles with the precious cordial. 

Jenny W’ren/'’ said the doctor, ‘^‘^do you know if you 
were assistant doctor anywhere else, you would be putting 
in cunning adulterations here, and weakening there, and re- 
sorting to all those miserable sutberfuges which lessen the 
cost of an article of merchandise, and thus add to the profit? 
So artful and dishonest is this poor human nature of ours, 
when once it is clutched in the evil grasp of Mammon. 
Child, child, you do not know this poor, tricky world of 
ours. I verily believe not one man in one hundred who under- 
took our cordial but would spoil its virtue, in trying to 
make it profitable.'’^ 

This man before her was just one of those men who woke 
the scorn of that noble soul. In his hands, the cordial 
would degenerate, become the imposition Doctor Morley had 
hated. 

Jane looked up no longer irresolute. 

The man thought he had conquered, and , a glow bright- 
ened his face, but the fierce scowl came back before her sen- 
tence was finished. 

have no right to depart from Doctor Morley^s instruc- 
tions. I would cut off my hand before I would let it write 
that recipe for you.'’^ 

It may be cut off without your help,^^ muttered the baf- 
fled heir. I tell you I have a right to the recipe, and you 
shall give it to me.'’'’ 

And he closed the door, against which he had planted 
himself, locked it once more, and went down to his confed- 
erate. 

Jane sat down to her dinner and ate heartily, after a 


OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. 


93 


somewhat scrutinizing examination of the food. After that 
she set herself to work^ and with the aid of scissors^ and 
needle, and thread, and an unscrupulous resort to the blan- 
kets of her bed, she had manufactured a rope strong enough 
to bear twice her weight. She rolled it up with a s'gh of 
satisfaction, and concealed it under the coverlet, murmur- 
ing, as she put it to bed tenderly: 

Lie there till midnight. Then you must be the wings 
to give poor Jenny Wren her freedom.'’^ 

ISText she made up a little bundle, and packed it into a 
small carpet-bag as completely as possible, and when that 
was done, she looked over her little stock of money, and 
carefully reckoned up the amount due her demand upon the 
hank. She blessed again the generous care which had 
always laid her wages every Saturday night into her own 
hand. It footed up a larger sum than she expected. She 
felt rich, and exclaimed, joyfully: 

can go where I please; to England first to deliver the 
package, and afterward whither my heart has yearned, be- 
lieving that there a free and generous welcome awaits every 
one in whatever path they choose to win their bread — after- 
ward to America! I can do both and not be dependent 
upon charity, though I do not find work promptly.^'’ 

And then Jane West, as the darkness gathered, went 
around looking up little tokens of remembrance to take with 
her upon this long and untried journey she was planning. 
First there was the little carved box, filled with old trinkets, 
some of wood, some of bone and ivory, but all the work of 
loving hands which had solaced many an otherwise dreary 
hour, and wrought for her alone. They were her father^s 
gifts to a little child, but were more precious to Jane West 
than diamonds and gold ornaments, love gifts to many other 
maidens. 

Doctor Morley had taken pains to show to her the great 
anguish of her father^s heart, and his deep affection for his 


94 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


motherless little one, and that death-bed in the hospital 
held a halo for for the lovely woman beyond many a proud 
noble^s coronet. She kissed the box as she packed it away. 
Then she turned to a stand well filled with books. These 
had been presented by Doctor Morley. She hung over them 
with a yearning tenderness. She could only take a few. 
Which should be left behind? Alas! it was like a mother 
trying to select from her children which should be given 
away. She took them down, replaced them, sighed, well- 
nigh cried over the task, and finally shut her eyes, and 
selected thus blindly half a dozen. She hurried them into 
the carpet-bag without looking at them. 

I will not know which I have taken until I am safely 
away. And now what else?^^ 

Ah, there was the envelope in the drawer, a yellow thing 
containing papers and copies -of documents which proved 
her as the legitimate daughter of one Eobert West, and his 
wife, Ann Thurston W^est. She sighed as she put the en- 
velope into her Bible, remembering the care Doctor Mor- 
ley had taken to hunt them out from the illy kept records, 
and his charge for her to keep them choicely, since who 
could tell what might happen that she should need them? 

At last all was done. She sat down wearily by the win- 
dow, and saw when the two men went out into the garden, 
and looked up curiously toward her window, probably to 
see if it was lighted. 

I can afford to sleep three hours at least, she thought. 

It will not do to waste any strength in unnecessary wake- 
fulness.''^ 

And she went obediently to the couch and lay down. It 
was easier to assume the attitude than obtain sleep. The 
brain was so wide awake with new and startling projects, 
the heart was so stirred from it accustomed calm, and at the 
best she only dozed. The clock in the hall below rang out 
the hours into a mindful ear, and as it struck two Jane 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


95 


West slipped noiselessly from the bed^ caught her breathy not 
nervously, but with a deep inspiration, as if to obtain all 
possible strength, and crept on. 

The window was open as it had been all day. She glided 
softly to the chair, and leaning out examined carefully to 
see if there was any ray of light to be discovered anywhere. 
All was dark and silent. The small carpet-bag was on the 
chair, the rope already knotted to the bedstead. The two 
windows below were fortunately belonging to rooms unlikely 
to be occupied. Her worst apprehension was the noise she 
would be likely to make in swinging herself over the case- 
ment. She had provided a shorter rope to fasten about her 
waist to steady herself by. She knotted it carefully, and 
tied the carpet-bag to her back. 

Everything was ready, and still all was silence. Jane 
paused and covered her face with her hands; not in weak- 
ness or terror, but to breathe a short prayer for Heaven^s 
help. That done, she swung boldly out, seized the rope 
with one hand, steadying herself into the right position 
with the other; "^nd when she was sure of herself she cut 
the support away, and slipped downward, touching as 
lightly as possible against the wall of the house. All was 
done in her steady, calculating way. She stood safely on 
the ground, and listened. No stir except the wind in the 
bows of the cape pines whispered to tliem of the strange 
doings below. 

Thus far she was safe. She might fly now if she would 
and no harm would come. Did the temptation come to 
leave the mysterious box to its fate? Not an instant. Doc- 
tor Morley was in Jane West^s thoughts all the time she was 
doing this. Two Doctor Morleys, one pale, earnest, eager, 
telling her how this secret of his must be saved from med- 
dlesome hands, and one cold and still, with closed eyes, and 
silent lips, and powerless limbs. He trusted it to her, cost 
what it might. Jenny Wren meant it should be done. She 


96 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


crept around the house toward the great water spout. Pate 
was kind to her; the spout was held to its place by stout tin 
rings with flanges nailed to the house. She mounted upon 
the first without difficulty, and exploring upward with her 
hand, discovered there was another within her reach. 

Jane West gave her blessing to the artisan who had taken 
so much pains to secure the spout to the building, and 
vaguely* wondered if it was not more a providential accident 
than because that corner of the building was exposed to the 
strong winds, which were sometimes nearly hurricanes. At 
all events -they made an upright ladder by which she drew 
herself safely to the top. The roof was flat, and in the 
drm light she saw the scuttle half opened. She crept safely 
to it, and stepped through, holding her very breath as she 
descended the stairs. At the foot of the short flight she 
sat down to rest, and removed her shoes from her feet, put- 
ting them in the carpet bag still strapped upon her shoul- 
ders. She felt in her pocket for the taper she had taken 
care to provide. All safe. 

Thus far everything had progressed favorably, but the 
most difficult task was yet to come, to pass the doors be- 
hind which those two men slept, and one she guessed occu- 
pied Doctor Morley^s old room which opened from the 
office, as it was always called, where the doctor had received 
his patients and pursued his studies, and into the latter 
apartment her errand led her. She sat there in the dark- 
ness, pale, but not trembling or faint-hearted. She went 
over her contemplated movements thoughtfully and decided 
that the first must be to unbolt the street door of the office, 
that in case of a surprise she might have all possible help to 
escape. She said her little childish prayer for help also, 
and then she rose and softly and stealthily crept down into 
the second story. One of her foes, at least, was safely out 
of the way — his loud snoring breath came through the 
thick door-way at regular intervals, like the ticking of a clock. 


OGTAVIAS PBIDK 


97 


On she sped and descended the next flight. Here was 
her danger. She had an instinctive consciousness that the 
heir kept in close proximity to the paper and effects in 
Doctor Moiiey^s office. Her brave heart began to beat now 
in quicker pulsations, but she laid her hand firmly on the 
knob of the office door. It came to her with the shivery 
sense of the change in all things, how often and often her 
hand had known that contact, as she had gone in and out 
from Doctor Morley^’s kindly presence, and it almost seemed 
that the senseless metal must know she was taking now her 
final leave. Did her steady hand tremble at last? The 
door creaked sharply. She leaned silently against the case- 
ment, all her faculties merged into one, listening for the 
slightest sound or stir. 

Once her heart gave a desperate leap. She thought some 
one moved in the room beyond, but as there came no re- 
newal, she said to herself it was only her imagination. 
Then she crept into the room. The room of all the house, 
impregnated, saturated, pervaded with Doctor Morley. 
She did not need a light to know its looks. Oh, how deeply 
every minutest object was imprinted in her memory! There 
in the center of the room was the long table, on one end the 
case of surgical instruments, and the tray of writing ma- 
terials on the other. There were the two sides, solid to the 
ceiling, with row upon row of books, many of them rare 
and costly, and not one among them light or trivial, and 
the great case, with glass doors, filled every shelf with vials 
and powders, stood between the windows. And there was 
the great globe in its brass stand, and the array of philo- 
sophical and chemical apparatus, and the mounted skele- 
ton keeping grim guard over against the secretaire. 

Everything was so familiar, so much more beautiful to 
Jenny Wren than the costliest drawing-room in the land. 
It cut to her heart with a terrible pang to realize, as she did 
fully and entirely, that she had no more part in it. That it 


98 ^ 


QCTAVIA^8 PBIBE, 


was an empty shell, from which the living principle had 
flown. But it was not the time to bewail now. Softly as a 
fairy she stole across the room, and laid her hand on the 
secretaire. The key was in the door, which saved her a lit- 
tle time, though she had provided a duplicate which the 
master of the secretaire had intrusted to her care a year 
ago. 

She turned it softly and cautiously, opened the door, and 
explored with her hand within. 

Everything had been disarranged, hut she was seeking 
for a little ivory knob, ostensibly there to hang the diary on, 
hut really the cover of a spring which disclosed the secret 
drawer. 

Doctor Morley had taught her how it operated, and it 
was there, she knew, the mysterious package which was to 
he saved from careless hands, and carried by herself to its 
unknown destination. She did not feel alarmed about its 
present safety. Something seemed to assure her that Mr. 
Aaron Morley had not discovered the spring or the secret 
drawer to which it admitted. 

She found the knob and pressed it firmly. The lid which 
concealed the aperture dropped with a sharp click. Jane 
stood motionless again, and she was all ear. Oncp more she 
fancied there was a sound; she cotild not tell if it was a 
rustling movement or a soft breath near her. 

She examined the room as thoroughly as the dim light 
would allow. There was certainly a vibration of the skele- 
ton. Did a ghost animate the rattling bones at such an 
uncanny hour? 

Jane West was a steady, healthy young woman; a whole 
army of ghosts would not have frightened away her courage. 
She had a quick suspicion of a far more dangerous visitor,* 
and plunged her hands hastily into the secret drawer. It 
was nearly full, and the darkness confused her; there seemed 
to be two boxes, and how was she to know which was the 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


99 


right one? Under the consciousness of a spy at hand, she 
dared not use the taper. She did what seemed the only 
thing possible under the circumstances; she gathered all the 
contents of the drawer at one swoop, and thrust them into 
her pocket, and then she turned. One swift prayer for help 
and protection flashed instantaneously through her mind as 
she sped along, for^she knew what was coming. 

^^Hold, Miss Jane West!^^ shouted a scornful, triumphant 
voice. ^^N'ot so fast, if you please, my dear.^^ 

There was the scratch of a match on the wall, and a flash 
of light which kindled into a broad glow, and the room was 
illuminated. 

There stood Mr. Aaron Morley, with a dressing-gown 
thrown hastily about him, with glittering eyes and flushed 
face, glaring upon her in evil triumph; and there was Jane 
West, pale as a ghost, but steady and resolute, in the atti- 
tude of an animal at bay. She did not pause for further 
questioning, but bounded to the door, sped through, and 
clanged it after her. 

With an oath, Aaron Morley was after her. 

Jane ran along the corridor into the little entry, and 
seized upon the door, blessing the foresight which had un- 
bolted and set it ajar. 

Out in the cool night air she seemed to gain renewed 
strength. She ran along the deserted street like a young 
fawn, somehow fearless and exultant. She had it safe, the 
secret which Doctor Morley had left to her care. She had 
escaped from her odious jailer. What need disturb her be- 
yond? 

' Escape? Ah, there was the heavy, plunging footstep be- 
hind, and when he finds that it is not swift enough to over- 
take her, he sets up a hoarse cry: 

^^Help! help! Stop thief! Ho! watchman! A thief! 
a thief !^^ 

J ane W est turned one moment to look at the bawler^ all 


100 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE. 


the blood stinging and burning through her veins in utter 
scorn and contempt. 

He calls other help. He will not give me an even chance. 
I a woman, and he a man. Shame upon the caitiff mut- 
tered she through her shut teeth. 

And then, as she heard the hastening steps of the watch- 
man before, and the plunging stride of the foe behind, she 
turned, bounded lightly over a garden wall, skimmed across 
a rear yard, up and down steps, and was again in the street, 
and nearer the water. 

She had in mind the sort of retreat needed, but was cut 
off from that quarter. Meanwhile the excitement deepened, 
and the pursuing force gained half a dozen recruits. She 
could hear them closing in upon her on three sides. They 
were pressing her nearer and nearer the water. How, in- 
deed it was growing a desperate thing. 

Poor Jenny wished, indeed, for a wren^s wing to help her 
out of this sore distress. Hot that, on her own account, 
she was afraid to face Aaron Morley and the whole force of 
Sydney police. But to do that, would be to yield up to the 
greedy hands of his uncongenial brother the treasured 
secret of Doctor Morley, and to betray the sacred trust he 
had left to her. If there was anything left in life precious 
to her, it was this conviction that it was in her power still 
to serve Doctor Morley. She pushed on, therefore, one 
hand clasping within her pocket the little package so boldly 
obtained, and in a moment more stood at the water’s edge. 
How still and peaceful it was! The soft slipping of the 
waves was like a tender whisper; the stars shone down like 
dreamy, loving, mother-eyes; an infinite sweetness, even in 
the midst of her alarm and excitement, stole into Jane 
West’s spirit. It was something as though a cool hand 
had been laid upon her forehead in solemn benediction. 

The hoarse shouts^ the rude cry, the rushing steps came 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


101 


on, but she looked up into the sky with a trustful, happy 
glance. 

^‘1 will do my best. Doctor Morley,^^ murmured she. 

And then she saw a boat, rocking with the waves, only a 
little beyond. It was but a moftienk's work to reach it, cast 
off, and push out from shore. 

What strength there was in her arms! What brave 
courage and resolution in her heart. 

Farther and farther from the shore, and the shouting and 
bustle — away from the pursuing foe! Away out in the 
cove, clear against the sky, loomed up the graceful figure 
of a ship. It was Jane West’s goal of desire. She said to 
herself she would reach it, shutting those even teeth of hers 
together savagely, if she was obliged to leap into the water 
and swim to it. 

But the pursuers were behind. They also had found a 
boat, and two pairs of strong arms propelled the oars. 


CHAPTER X. 

THE LIVELY JAHE. 

The Sea Foam rather failed of her accustomed good for- 
tune. She had head winds, and was twice becalmed. 
Captain Lo mentally accused himself of bringing a Jonah 
conscience with him, and was gloomily prepared for any- 
thing disastrous. 

He was a thoroughly miserable man, was Captain Lo 
Leyard, so unlike his usual hearty, generous, cheery self, 
that it was no wonder the crew began to whisper from one 
to another that the skipper was bewitched. Singularly 
enough, he found his chief consolation in the society of the 
chief object of his disquiet. Aside from a certain morbid 
compassion. Captain Lo had learned to love the youthful 


102 


OCT AVI A 8 TRIBE, 


passenger almost as well as if he had been that son whose 
sad dereliction had brought about the fatal temptation 
which had overmastered a sailor^s rectitude. 

Will Yarrel^ indeed, had won all hearts on board the Sea 
Foam. And yet he was shy and retiring in his manners, 
and certainly made no effort to appeal to their compassion. 
He, would sit an hour at a time with his hands clasped list- 
lessly, the sad brown eyes fixed afar upon the distant line 
where sea and sky mingled into one misty blue; but if any 
sought to probe the wound, which it was plain to see 
rankled in the youthful breast, he drew back, singularly 
sensitive and disturbed and made no confidant — never 
once. 

Captain Lo was often vexed with the lad, when, in the 
midst of " some earnest, confidential talk, which seemed to 
call for some reference to personal matters, he would sud- 
denly draw back, a sort of chilly vail dropping over the 
face that had a moment before been sparkling with anima- 
tion, and then the dreamy melancholy would return. But 
second reflection made the remorseful man thoughtful to 
the lad. 

He had affection and sympathy enough now for the 
lonely passenger. If there was any deeper grief bbhind, it 
was better he should know nothing about it. 

They were approaching the dreaded island, slipping 
steadily southward, following the track to Brazil, until 
they should get out of the S. E. trade wind, and be taken 
by the friendly South Atlantic current, and borne eastward 
around Good Hope into the Indian Ocean. 

Captain Lo picked out his course on the chart, and 
looked shiveringly at the little black speck marked down 
at the left of Martan Vaz Rocks. They wei*e bearing down 
upon it steadily. In two days more they would be sure to 
make the high gray line of coast. As if to tantalize him, 
the wind, which had been light and fitful, freshened up, 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


103 


and they dashed away gallantly. Captain Lo paced the 
deck the night previous to the discovery of the expected 
land, and when, at daybreak, the man from the mast-head 
shouted out the animated cry, Land o’/’ he turned deadly 
pale, and rushed down into the cabin. Will Yarrel sat 
there reading, and lifted the sorrowful brown eye, inquir- 
ingly, at the master^s precipitate appearance. 

WeVe sighted Trinidad,^^ stammered Captain Lo. 

Trinidad — you donT mean — of course you canT mean 
one of the Antilles. We are nowhere in that track, said 
the youth, with a show of interest. 

^^No, not that Trinidad; would to heaven it were!^^ ejac- 
ulated Captain Lo, going to his locker and pouring out a 
glass of wine. This is a miserable, little, barren island — 
all alone by itself here. The English, once upon a time, 
tried a penal settlement upon it, but it didiiT answer. Yet 
they say it is a romantic-looking place. I have never been 
upon it myself, but ships frequently stop for water. It 
would be handy for us to fill up those empty barrels 
there. 

Captain Lo looked around nervously as he said this, the 
cold sweat beading from his forehead. 

Will Yarrel was turning over a leaf of his book, and did 
not answer. 

I say. Will, lad. I’ll go ashore and fill up the casks if 
you would like the idea. We are really short, owing to 
the bursting of those hoops on the hogshead forward.'’^ 

I should like to see such an island, certainly. I donT 
think I ever expected to set foot on an uninhabited island. 
I must go on deck and take a look at it.'’^ 

^^Pooh! theiVs nothing to be seen yet. We ars ten 
leagues away. Wait till this time to-morrow. I really 
think I will make a .call, and se« what the place is like.'’^ 
And he went back to the deck, and began to talk about fill- 
ing the water casks. 


104 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


The mate looked rather surprised, but answered care- 
lessly: 

I have been ashore at Trinidad. It is pretty difficult 
making a landing except the water is very smooth. We 
can get some glorious turtle, and wild hogs are in the 
underbrush of the wooded parts. If you did not care 
for the delay, we might make quite an addition to the 
larder. 

The captain saw that he was rather astonished, never- 
theless. 

^^The voyage is spoilt now,^^ he said, testily. ^MVe 
sha^nT make our time, and it is as well to be hung for 
a good deal as a little.'''’ 

And so the order was given to bear down to the island. 

As they neared its shores Captain Lo^s secret shame and 
discomfiture before his subordinates were suddenly dis- 
persed. They saw a great smoke rising from the highest 
cliff, and their own fiag reversed fiuttering from a tree 
called for a countryman^s help. 

As soon as this discovery was made, there was great 
excitement on the Sea Foam^s deck, and the shore was 
closely scrutinized by the aid of their most powerful 
glass. 

There is a group of men watching us,^^ cried out the 
mate. Some ship has been wrecked, and a boat of them 
have reached the island."^ 

Captain Lo brightened up. 

^^Give them a signal to show that we understand. Now 
of course we must stop at the island. 

They lay off the island that afternoon before nightfall, 
but did not deem it prudent to attempt to make a land- 
ing until morning. 

A boat load of the steadiest hands were ready the mo- 
ment the sun illuminated the scene, and the ship- 


GOT AVI A 8 PRIDK 


105 


wrecked mariners hurried down to meet them with loud 
hurrahs. 

Ahoy there! Who are you and how came you here?'’^ 
demanded Captain Lo^ standing up in the boat and making 
a speaking-trumpet of his hands. 

Survivors of the Lively Jane. Six nights out in an 
open boat. Ask your help to a better berth than this old 
rock.^^ 

‘^^The Lively Jane? ThaLs likely!'’^ ejaculated Captain 
Leyard. ‘^‘^Why, we left her in the London dock!'’^ And 
he repeated the observation when the boat plunged ashore 
with the breaker^ and he leaped out^ half drenched with 
spray into the midst of the rather sorry-looking group. 

^^Mebbe, mebbe. Captain Lo; but the poor old craft lies 
at the bottom now. We sailed ten days after you^ and 
had just the right winds, but we came into that terrible 
storm and were struck twice by lightning. The first bolt 
did us damage enough, but the last one set her on fire. 
Poor old thing! she*s sailed her last trip, and she did it 
handsomely, too!^^ 

The skipper of the lost vessel drew his hand hastily across 
his eyes. 

^^Why, Jack Holt, it is really you, isnT it? exclaimed • 
Captain Leyard, seizing the other by the hand. ""And the 
Lively Jane has outsailed us in this shape?'"’ 

"" But gone to the bottom in doing it, man, and there let 
her rest. We put off in hot haste when the lightning set 
her on fire; the mate in the other boat with half the crew. 
Heaven only knows what has become of them. We lost 
sight of them at ^indown one night, and in the morning 
nothing was to be seen. I gave them full instructions to 
fall into this track, telling them of the island, and the like- 
lihood of Indian and South American ships picking us up. 
But there's not a sign of them, though it is possible some ' 
craft bound Brazil ward has picked them up. Well, sir, 


106 


OOTAVIA'S TRIBE. 


we^re glad enough to see the Sea Foam. Will you take us 
along to the Cape and put us ashore 

^^Are we heathen returned Lo, indignantly. ^^But 
you must be famished^ besides 

^^ISTo. We found turtle enough, and managed to kill 
some birds. We could subsist here well enough, I suppose, 
in a savage fashion, but who could dwell in such a horrible 
solitude 

Captain Lo sighed, and looked around to see what had 
become of Will Yarrel, who had come in his boat to the 
island. He had evidently wandered away to make his own 
exploration, for he was not among the sailors grouped about 
their shipwrecked comrades of the Lively Jane. 

We will take you on board as soon as you like,^^ he said, 
somehow so drearily that his companion started, and looked 
inquiringly into his face. 

But Captain Lo was not inclined to be communicative. 

I don^t know but you will feel as if you were taking a 
Jonah on board the Sea Foam,'’'’ said the latter, doubtfully, 
^^and faith! IVe had some such thought myself. Curse 
that passenger ! to think all those poor fellows and the mate, 
as smart a seaman as ever trod a deck, may be gone to 
Davyds locker, and he is safe, sticking still in our way. I 
was a fool to let any money induce me to take him.'’^ 

‘‘A passenger?’^ said Captain Lo, inquiringly. 

Yes, and a queer kind of one, too. If youdl believe it, 
we knew nothing about it until the night before w« sailed, 
and then a boat came alongside, and a queer cove, muffled 
up to the eyes, came aboard and offered me double pay to 
take a passenger out to Eio, and the fellow was only to come 
at the last minute. I might as well make a clean breast of 
it. I knew very well it looked like suspicious work, but I 
let the cursed money blind my eyes, and Fve got my pay.'’^ 
Captain Lo seized his hand, and shook it vigorously, 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDR 


107 


although his friend was hardly able to account for his sud- 
den warmth of sympathy, crying out: 

You did, you did ; there^s plenty more would have done 
the same. Holt, plenty more/^ 

‘‘1 don^t know. There^s one man neverdl be caught 
again by the trick. He^s a queer old fellow. The sailors 
swear he^s in league with the powers of darkness, and they 
wanted to pitch him out of the boat that first night. Do 
you know he was brought aboard dead drunk, or else 
drugged, and swears 'he never intended making such a voy- 
age? I canT make out whether he^s been tricked by some 
one, or is playing possum with me. But he is not a fair and 
open man, that^s plain enough, and there^s not one of us 
but will be thankful to see the last of him.^^ 

^^What have you got to do with him, Holt?^^ inquired 
Captain Lo, in a low, husky voice. 

^^Do? Why, I was to drop him at Kio. How you may 
do as you please. Leave him on the island if you like. The 
thing is taken out of my hands. 

^^It is very strange, repeated Captain Lo. 

Decidedly strange, Leyard. Why, he^s an old man, over 
seventy. You^d have thought the night out in that open 
boat would have killed him, instead of which he^s livelier 
and perter than ever. You should see him rolling his eyes, 
and muttering. He^d make a capital Lear, only he^s too 
savage. If that cool fellow who came and engaged his pas- 
sage has really injured him, I doiiT envy him w^hen this old 
chap gets at him, as he swears he will. He has made' me 
describe his looks a dozen times, but I tell him the cloak 
and cap are all I can swear to.^^ 

A blue cloth coat, and a cap of the same,^^ muttered 
Captain Lo, mechanically, ‘^Hong grizzly beard. 

Exactly! Why, man, have you seen him?^^ 

Captain Lo groaned in spirit, but not outwardly. 


108 


OCT AVIA'S PRIDE. 


Such a fellow came to me the night before I left Lon- 
don/^ 

And you refused, and I was dolt enough to meddle with 
business you disdained to touch. I tell you this is a lesson, 
Leyard, to last me a life-time. Confound the man in the 
blue cloak! Blast his eyes!^^ 

Blue eyes — what an odd, pale color they were,^^ inter- 
posed Captain Lo, lugubriously; ^^and so large 1^^ 

^^Blue? Oh, no, Leyard; they were gray and small. 

^^You were dazed by the gold hfe brought. Holt; they 
were certainly blue, and no one could call them small. 

Well, well, with the rest of the mischief, we won^t let 
him make us quarrel. But they were small and gray, 
nevertlieless. Come and see the old fellow. But, if you 
don^t want to be bored to death you won^t let him know 
youVe seen the man in the blue coat, let his eyes be what 
they will.'’^ 

Captain Lo looked over to the figure indicated by his 
companion's pointing finger. 

He saw a. man, tall, and not much bent, but thin and 
spare, the skin dry and wrinkled, and swarthy as an 
Indian^s. He looked up just then, either because he held 
some clairvoyant knowledge of the scrutiny, or that he had 
been watching the pair, and Captain Lo met an eye small, 
coal-black, and brilliant, which held somehow a singular 
glare, like the fatal dazzle of a serpent. 

Bless my soul V’ exclaimed Captain Lo, startled in spite 
of his absent-mindedness; don^t wonder your sailors 
were shy of him. Those are strange eyes to accompany that 
white hair. I canT say I am particularly anxious to give 
him a passage.^'’ 

Leave him then,^^ said the other; ^^it^s none of my 
business.'’^ 

Leave him on the island said the captain of the Sea 


OCTAVIA^S FEIDE. 


109 


Foam, slowly and thoughtfully. Don^’t you think it would 
be murder to leave a feeble person here?^^ 

Captain Holt laughed lightly. 

Not at all. I think a woman would manage to subsist 
here, much more a man of his long experience; and ships 
are so often calling, besides. It is a picturesque place for a 
Eobinson Crusoe. Have you been to look at the cascades 
pouring like melted silver over the rocks 

I shall fill up the casks, now I have made a landing, and 
the boys must turn out a few turtles; and if we could shoot 
a wild hog, it would help out the provisions amazingly. I 
must go and see about it.^^ 

Accordingly, Captain Lo went out to the group of sailors 
who were watching this consultation of their superiors with 
close attention. He gave the mate a few directions, and 
then sauntered away to look for his youthful passenger. 

He called for him twice before there was any response, 
and then the branching foliage of a thicket near at hand 
was parted cautiously, and a pale, frightened face looked 
out. 

^^Oh, Captain Leyard! I am a poor, persecuted creature! 
Dangers lurk for me even on this far-olf, deserted island, 
he said, with quivering lips. 

He has found it out,^^ thought Captain Lo, his heart 
dropping like a lump of lead, and he hung his own head, 
and was silent. 

^^Oh, sir, for the love of Heaven, help me! Be my 
friend V’ 

My poor lad ! Would to Heaven I might ! Curse the 
day when 

He paused, shame-stricken. Did Will Yarrel know the 
whole — how Lodovico Leyard had sold his honorable char- 
acter for a bag of gold ? If not, his own tongue should not 
be blistered by the confession of the humiliating truth, 


110 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


But Will Yarrel by this time had partly overcome his 
agitation. 

^^Sir/'’ said he, have one enemy worse than all the 
rest of my troubles, and they are not few. I do not know 
whether it was friend or foe who gave me into your charge, 
but I have blessed one result of his deed, that I was escaping 
from this cruel and inexorable enemy. I do not know what 
it means. He was certainly in London the day I was 
brought to you; but, behold ! almost the first face I saw, 
when I stepped from the boat, was his! Oh, sir, is he one 
of the wrecked crew, that old man with the white hair, and 
those terrible eyes that will pierce through all things 

He is a passenger, my boy. Something such a passen- 
ger as you have been, I suspect. 

Oh, sir, must you take him on board the Sea Foam ? 
Is it wicked, cruel, heartless in me to beg you to leave him 
out? Oh, sir, if you could help taking him 

And the frightened brown eyes looked imploringly into 
his. 

^^But how could I?” answered Captain Lo. ^MVhat 
decent excuse could I offer for so inhuman a proceeding? 
How could I take the rest, and singling him out, say he 
must remain behind ?^^ 

Will Yarrel wrung his hands. 

Alack! I know not, and yet I know I would rather be 
left on a desert island myself than taken into his company. 
And it cannot be done?^^ 

Indeed, I do not see how, although he might make 
himself very comfortable here until another ship came to 
take him off. But of all these shipwrecked wretches he is 
most anxious to get back to England. 

Then leave me then. I will remain upon tho island 
myself, exclaimed Will Yarrel, in a voice of passionate 
determination. 

Are you really in earnest ?^^ asked Captain Lo, scarcely 


OCT AVIA 8 PRIDE, 


111 


able to credit his ears, and yet his heart leaping up jubi- 
lantly at this amicable settlement of his own trouble. 

do. You say there is no danger. I shall be here 
secure and tranquil. What need I to fear? Oh, it is only 
mankind that I need to stand in dread. Nature will 
whisper sweet and tender messages. Heaven is above me; 
and when the next ship touches* at the island it will take me 
away, and he need never know my fate. He will have lost 
the track. Let me stay, sir.^^ 

It is a very singular request, but it is your wish. I 
have nothing to say. I will send on shore your trunk and 
an abundance of provisions. I will leave you signals to call 
the attention of passing ships. I will leave you everything 
to make you comfortable.'*'’ 

Will Yarrel, after a hasty glance around to be sure no 
one was in sight, seized his hand and covered it with kisses, 
in the midst of which came a hot splash of tears. 

Oh, sir, the blessing of a poor, persecuted creature shall 
follow you. Heaven reward you, and 

^^Hush,^'’ cried Captain Lo, huskily, ^^or you will drive 
me mad. My conscience has already punished me enough. 
Do not thank me, but bless Heaven, as I do, that it has 
turned what seemed a cruel imposition into a deed of mercy. 
Boy, boy; I was wicked enough to accept a bag of gold in 
payment for your passage, and you to be left on this 
island.'’^ 

The agony of remo.rse on his face explained more lucidly 
than his words all Captain Lo meant to confess. 

For a moment the wide brown eyes stared at him, and 
then, taking in all the revelation, they deepened and deep- 
ened into blackness. The two hands were flung in childish 
fashion over the agitated face. 

"^Oh, oh,^" cried Will Yarrel; ^^what have I done — what 
have I done that everybody should be so willing to turn 
aga*inst me?^^ 


112 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


That was the keenest thrust Captain Lo had yet received. 
For a moment he staggered under it^ and then in a grave, 
mournful voice he told the whole story. 

^^You are not to blame/^ exclaimed his listener. ^‘1 
freely exonerate you from blame. Only help me in this 
matter, and I will not only forgive, but bless you.'’^ 

It shall be done, and I myself will see that you are res- 
cued from the island. At Cape of Good Hope I will find 
out the vessels bound to this track, and some of them shall 
call for you. 

‘'‘ I will hide in this thicket then until you get them all 
to the ship. Oh, be careful not to breathe a hint to that 
man. If this island were filled with wild beasts I would 
choose to remain rather than return upon the same ship 
with him.^^ 

He broke off suddenly, and crouched down behind the 
leafy screen. 

The mate and Captain Holt were coming around the 
rocks. 

Captain Lo hurried away to meet them, and, with unusual 
alacrity, proposed to get the Lively Jane’s company at once 
on board the Sea Foam. 

Which was presently accomplished. While they were 
being welcomed in the cabin and mess-room, a trunk and 
heavy box were lowered into the boat, and covered over with 
water casks. 

Captain Lo left the mate to look after affairs on board, 
much to his friend Holtzs surprise, and went himself to 
oversee the filling of the water casks. 

He came back with a brighter face than his crew had 
seen on the voyage. 

The sails were set, and a gentle but steady breeze filled 
them out. The Sea Foam stood off from the bold shore, 
glided out like a fairy creature, lingering a long time, a 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


m 

white speck in the dazzling blue of blending sea and sky^ 
but finally dwindled^ dwindled, and vanished. 

Will Yarrel, on the lonely island shore, watched it dis- 
appear. When it was fairly gone, the large, mournful 
brown eyes were lifted upward yearningly, the hands across 
the heaving breast clasped themselves prayerfully, and he 
murmured, softly: 

^^At last, at last I am free from the persecution of men! 
I am alone with earth and Heaven ! Why should I tremble, 
or be afraid? Nature is loving and beneficent! I can trust 
myself here, and fear no menacing mysteries. 


CHAPTEE XL 

MAUEICE AKOUSED. 

Mr. John Middleton, gloomy and morose, sat in the little 
lodging room, staring down blankly into the street, when a 
light step and a mellow whistle announced to him the ap- 
proach of his son Maurice. 

^^What a noisy creature you are!^^ said he, querulously, 
as the door unclosed. 

Am I? Well, you will soon be freed from any trouble 
on my account. I have just made my arrangements to 
be of^.” 

^^Otf! Where, I should like to know? in a tone of 
keener interest. 

Oh, off to seek my fortune! Here, there, wherever it 
beckons !^^ 

We ought to have made a fortune without seeking for 
it,^^ said Mr. Middleton, Sr., in an injured tone of voice. 
^^It was a terrible, terrible blunder, somehow. 

But not a blunder of mine. You will give me credit 
for that, sir. To tell you the truth, it is partly on this 


114 


OCT AVIA'S PRIDE. 


business that I am going. The innuendo of the Wainwright 
lawyer stung me to the quick. It was the first time my 
blood fired in this affair. Why, sir, he as good as insinu- 
ated that you put that vagabond, Mathew Merle, out of the 
way, because he had the power to say something to hurt 
your cause. Now you know why I have hated the affair 
from the commencement. But I canT stand that. When 
the honor of the name one bears is aspersed, then it is time 
for a man to bestir himself. And I am just going to set 
this thing right. Mathew Merle shall be hunted up, and 
unless there is actually wrong on your side, this claim has 
got to come up again, not to obtain the AV ainwright prop- 
erty, but to right the Middleton name.'’^ 

Mathew Merle hunted up,^^ said Middleton, senior, in a 
bewildered voice. Felix wonT consent to that.'’^ 

Felix wonT consent! AVhat do you mean, sir?"^ de- 
manded his astonished son. 

Perhaps Mr. John Middleton became aware that he had 
already said too much, for he tried to turn the subject. 

^MVell, well, I am glad to see you waking up about any- 
thing. What do you intend to do?'’^ 

Follow up a little clew I have found. The man is over 
seventy years old, and it will never do to waste time. I 
know where he stopped, and I found out a rather queer 
thing about him. Your vilest old creature has a con- 
science after all. A lodging-house keeper, in one of these 
wretched streets near the wharves, tells me this Mathew 
Merle had a niece who lodged with her — a sweet, innocent 
creature, to whom he was a cruel tyrant. She tells how 
the child trembled at the very sound of his voice, and how 
she was carefully guarded, oftentimes locked for hours in 
her room, with the key in his pocket, and he away. But 
that she managed to escape one night, and disappeared — no 
one knew where. And how the old man stormed and 
raved, and went off to search for her. And she has not set 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


115 


her eyes upon his face again. But the girl was found 
drowned, and her clothingjis now in the care of the police, 
waiting his call, if he ever comes. Don^’t you see that the 
whole is explained now? Mathew Merle, filled with 
remorse, has gone searching for the girl. I have taken her 
name, and I mean to reach him through that. I shall 
insert a cautious advertisement in the leading papers of our 
principal cities. Something, you know, like this: ^If any 
relative of hers wishes to hear of the whereabouts of one 
Maria Merle, let him address or call upon so and so.^ Don^t 
you think it ought to work?^^ 

should think so. I wish, Maurice, you had taken 
hold of the case before. 

Ah, so at last you have a faint suspicion that your im- 
maculate paragon might have managed more shrewdly. 
At last you have an inkling that the worthless dreamer has 
some capability.'’^ 

‘‘1 always said you were capable, Maurice, if only you 
would rouse up and take hold of anything. Tve told Felix 
so a dozen times. But you must own you have quixotic 
notions that hinder sometimes.'’^ 

Maurice looked over to the puzzled, deprecating ex- 
pression of his father^’s face, and the young fellow laughed 
heartily before he replied: 

Thank you for the compliment. I understand just 
what men of your stamp mean by ^ quixotic.^ You mean 
if there's a roundabout, shuffling, manageable case, I^m 
not of that sort to undertake it. You are right. It^s more 
suited to Felix. 

^‘1 wish you and Felix were better friends, Maurice. 
YouTe as hard on him, in your way, Maurice, as you used 
to complain he was on you. He^s not happy at all now. 
Something or other troubles him.'’^ 

^^Kemorse for his gross mismanagement, I presume, 
answered Maurice, dryly. When Felix treats me as if I 


116 


OCT AVIA S prim. 


were anything but a silly boy, it will be time enough for me 
to oifer my sympathy/^ 

He is coming here to-day. I think he has left his sit- 
uation.^^ 

What was his situation, father? He was there at the 
trial with a lady, for I saw him help her into a carriage, 
and afterward I was told the lady was Miss Wainwright, 
but it seems too preposterous to believe.'’^ 

Mr. Middleton, senior, in due remembrance of the 

quixotic notions, kept discreet silence. 

Presently he turned again to the pile of fresh newspapers, 
and Maurice sat down to his writing. 

An hour or two afterward, the elder son, coming into the 
room, found them thus. 

Felix looked worn and haggard. There were dark circles 
under his eyes; his lips were pale and twitched nervously. 
He had the appearance of a man just out from a serious 
illness; and even Maurice was touched, with compassion, 
though he had tact enough to avoid betraying it. 

Good-day to you, Felix, he said, cheerily. ^^How 
goes the world with you?^^ 

^^None the better for discussing its movements, said 
Felix, rather shortly, and he turned to his father. 

^^Fm going away from this, sir; I^’m going to South 
America. 

^^To South America?^^ ejaculated Middleton, senior, in 
utter amazement. ^^What for, Felix 

To hunt up Mathew Merle, was the hollow-toned re- 
sponse. 

Well, that is odd. Here has Mauride been telling me 
the same thing 

Felix whirled around to his half-brother. 

You — you!^^ said he. What have you to do with it?^^ 

I have something to do with clearing up the name I 
hear from such dishonorable aspersions. Mathew Merle 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


117 


must be found to prove to this same court that a Middleton 
had no hand in putting him out of the way/' 

Pshaw muttered Felix, impatiently, turning away 
from the clear-eyed face, which was handsomer than ever 
under its indignation; but in a moment after he added, 
gloomily. But it is true; Mathew Merle must be found. 
I will find him.^^ 

What makes you think of South America. It is the 
last quarter in which I should turn. My own mind is that 
he will be found in some of the large cities of the United 
Kingdom. My clew suggests such an idea,^^ returned 
Maurice, eagerly. 

Your clew? — what clew?^^ 

Maurice was in the mood now to ignore his imperious 
ways, and he related the same .story he had given his 
father. 

‘‘1 never heard about the niece, said Felix, ^‘^but I 
have heard him talk about a Don he expected to arrive 
shortly from eastward somewhere. Look if you like around 
home, but I shall take the first passage I can find to Kio, 
and hunt up the British brig Lively Jane.^^ 

^^The Lively Jane echoed Middleton, senior, turning 
around and pushing up the glasses which were helping 
him to read the paper. ^^Why, here^s something about 
her, here in the paper: 

‘The steamer Nautilus spoke a ship on her passage home, and 
that ship reported the British brig Lively Jane, Captain Holt, burned at 
sea. She had on board the mate and the long boat’s crew, who had 
escaped through innumerable perils. The captain, with the other 
boat and a passenger, name unknown to the mate, are supposed to 
have perished.’ ” 

Middleton, senior, read it off glibly, unmindful of the 
effect of the intelligence. His son Felix had been pale and 
ill-looking before, Kow, however, he was fairly ghastly, 


118 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDE, 


He clutched with one hand at the chair^ and stretched out 
the other for the paper. 

By heavens! that is news indeed. The passenger was 
Mathew Merle himself.'’^ 

How do you know?^^ demanded Maurice, sharing the 
excitement which set his father shaking like a leaf. 

I know; that is enough. Good heavens! what fatality !^^ 
said Felix, his small gray eyes gleaming like steel. ^^Now 
I must go beyond South America; I must go to Australia 
itself. I will dig up a witness,^'’ he exclaimed, with fierce 
passion, ^^if I am obliged to go to the church-yard for one! 
I will bring back the proof of that marriage !^^ 

And I will look up the survivors of that ship,^^ said 
Maurice, less vehemently, but quite as resolutely. "" I will 
go to the lawyers with the proof that the man took 2iassage 
for himself. The family honor shall not be lightly 
assailed. 

You had better leave the ship affair to me,^^ said Felix, 
rather sharply, and the whole affair indeed. There is no 
danger of my neglecting it. The success of the mission 
involves more than honor, or life itself. If I do not find 
what I ask to establish our suit, I would rather die than 
not.^^ 

When he spoke he poured out a glass of water, and drank 
it with feverish eagerness. 

Look out for your health, Felix, if that is a specimen 
of your inward thirst, said Maurice, gravely. This affair 
is wearing upon you.^^ 

Wearing upon meP repeated Felix, bitterly. 
should think so. I am and shall be consumed by an 
inward fire until it is settled. 

It is not for the money, I am sure,'’^ observed Maurice, 
looking at him curiously. 

Felix turned away his face im|)atiently, but not before 
his brother saw the sullen flush creeping into his face. 


HE PUSHED A STROKE WITH THE OAR, AND SEIZED HER.— (P. 13i.. 






120 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE, 


One woman^s influence has such power, murmured 
Maurice, meditatively. is fortunate for me that I am 

unscathed as yet by the invincible arrow. 

^^You will never know the depths into which high, 
strong spirits can sink, or the heights to which they rise,"^ 
said Felix, coldly. 

I will never bribe the woman I love,^^ thought Maurice, 
but he did not speak the thought. 

Felix took the paper which held the account of the 
Lively Jane’s disaster, and put it in his pocket. Then he 
put on his hat. 

I must go down and see about it, and learn how soon 
the ship is expected in port. I must wait for that.'’’ ^ 

Is it to be accepted as an incontrovertible fact that the 
captain’s boat with the passenger is lost?” queried Maurice. 

Why may not equal good fortune have sent another ship 
in their track?” 

^^They ought to know if such a thing was likely. I 
must talk with the survivors before I make my decision. 
It does not seem possible that Mathew Merle is dead.” 

Felix shuddered as he said it; he best knew why. 

And then he went away, and hurrying along the street 
was nearly run over at a crossing by a gay pair of horses 
attached to a handsome carriage. 

He would not have looked up then more than was neces- 
sary to get out of the way, had not a clear, mellow voice 
said, hastily: 

Oh, Eobert, take care. You will injure Mr. Thorne.” 

At these words and that voice Felix flung back his head 
and looked into the carriage. 

Octavia Wainwright sat there among the velvet cushions 
like another Cleopatra, as imperial in her magnificent 
beauty. 

The man’s lips were whitened, but he held his features in 
firm control. 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE, 


121 


She bowed graciously, and beckoned him to approach 
while the coachman reined up the horses. 

But he waved his hand in a dissenting gesture, and only 
obeyed at the second call. 

Felix, said Miss Wainwright, my father misses you 
very much.'’^ 

^^Ahr 

^^He is very angry at your sudden departure. 

General Wainwright^s displeasure is to be regretted, but 
in this case it is unavoidable.^^ 

I suppose I could silence him if I told him your true 
name and history 

She said this questioningly, the luminous, magnetic eyes 
on his face, which held desperately to its mask of ice. 

I should advise you by all means to tell him.-'^ 

But he has been so fond of you, and if you returned, it 
would so mar the old harmony of your relation to him. I 
cannot bear to do it.'’^ 

I shall not return. I expect to leave shortly for a for- 
eign country.'’^ 

Poor papa! He will so grieve to hear it. He thinks no 
one can fill your place, and he clings to the hope that you 
will make your appearance. I know ' you will be glad to 
hear how much he valued your services. 

You know also that General WainwrighPs friendship or 
approval had nothing whatever to do with my motives in 
remaining at or in leaving Wainwright Slope, broke in 
Felix, sternly. Good-day, Miss Wainwright. 

He strode on, never turning his head. 

Miss AVainwright looked after him gravely. 

The poor fellow is fairly fretting himself into a fever. 
How much he ,has changed! AA"hat a strange thing this 
love is!^^ soliloquized the beautiful woman, as the carriage 
moved on. 

But presently the sober look vanished. She recalled Lord 


122 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


Eoland Palkner^s gallant speech when he came down to in- 
quire for the generahs healthy and Octavia smiled proudly, 
and Felix and his wan face and heavy eyes wore for the time 
forgotten. 


CHAPTEE XII. 

FAITHFUL SERVANT^ 

Lord Eonald FalknePs party did not proceed immediately 
upon their Scotland tour. Lady Mary was indisposed the 
day after Miss Wainwright called upon her, and, contrary 
to the expectations of her physician, she did not seem to 
improve any as the days slipped on. The source of the dis- 
ease also baffled him. There seemed no special ailment, but 
a general lassitude and debility. Perhaps his perplexity 
made his face look graver than he intended, but Lord 
Eonald, who was a devoted son, took alarm, and posted otf 
a messenger to his uncle, her ladyship^s only brother, the 
Earl of Chichester, and to her sister. Lady Frances Morton. 

The noble earl arrived first, and, without any hint of the 
object of his visit, walked in upon the invalid quietly, and 
his cool, calm tones aroused her from a melancholy reverie. 

^^Well, Mary, my dear, this is very shabby behavior of 
you. How does it happen you are ill just when you should 
be well? That tour \ promised a world of enjoyment, and 
you are keeping the whole party waiting for you.^^ 

Lady Mary was sitting at the window, pillowed luxuri- 
ously in the easy-chair. The white cashmere wrapper, and 
the lace ruche at the fair throat and slender wrists, height- 
ened the extreme delicacy of her complexiop, and while she 
had never looked more lovely, she had likewise never 
seemed more frail and feeble. 

The careless look dropped from the earPs face^ and 


OCTAVIA'S PBIDE, 


123 


deeply toiiched by an unusual emotion, he bent down and 
kissed her tenderly. 

Why, Mary, pet, you do look more like a creature made 
out of moonbeams and fairy dew, than a mortal woman. 
What have you be^n doing to yourself 

Lady Mary had started nervously at the first sound of his 
voice, and the thin, fair hands lying listlessly in her lap 
were clenched upon the arm of her chair, as she turned her 
face toward him, although she answered in her own gentle % 
voice: 

‘^‘^Why, Philip, how you startled me! When did you 
arrive? I had no warning of your coming. 

Oh, it is a sudden affair. Konald sent me word you 
were not very well, and I came to look after you myself. 
Have you been overtasking your strength in any way?^^ 

I have done nothing. Eonald is foolishly anxious. 
It is nothing settled or serious. I am only tired. 

Tired? Of what?^^ 

She tried to smile carelessly, but a sigh fiuttered through. 

I donT know, indeed. Pray sit down. How did you 
leave Lady Chichester and Frances ?^^ 

The family are all well. You know we were coming 
to meet your Scottish party. Has Sir James seen you to- 
day ?^^ 

Hot to-day; he was here last night. But it is entirely 
unnecessary; he will not help me any.^^ 

And again there was a little sigh. 

The earl had scarcely taken his eyes from her face. He 
did not fail to notice its thinness, and the hollow circles 
around the eyes, and the nervous tremor of the lips. 

She was liis favorite sister. Hor had he yet forgotten 
how close had » been their fraternal affection, nor what 
an idol and hero she had made of him in his collegiate 
days! Perhaps he remembered, also, sundry signal ex- 
amples of her sisterly devotion which had not come to th^ 


124 


OCTAVIA’8 PRIDE. 


knowledge of other people. At all events^ he who was 
usually a cold^ haughty, rather selfish man, was now deeply 
moved. He went on catechising like a physician: 

^^Do you have any appetite, Mary?'^ 

A little. Pray don^’t trouble yourself. Sir James has 
asked all those questions, and made nothing out of it.^^ 

And how do you sleep P'’ persisted he. 

A scarcely perceptible shudder ran through her frame; 
tthe truthful eyes dropped. 

see!"*^ exclaimed he, almost angrily. ''^You do not 
sleep at all.'’^ 

Oh, yes; I slept last night. I spoke to Sir James, and 
he gave me some opiates. 

wonder what is the matter said the earl, musingly. 

It is most often mental trouble which brings such symp- 
toms; but there is nothing to trouble you. Your Eonald is 
a pattern son. I wish to Heaven my heir was likely to be 
one-half so steady and trustful. I would, indeed, I could 
look back myself on as innocent a youth as his. I am 
rather vexed with you, Mary. It seems to me, if you chose 
you might help this, and be well.^^ 

Something in what he had said touched her, for she 
caught her breath sharply, and bit her lips to keep them 
from quivering, and beneath the . downcast lids the slow 
tears were gathering. 

The earl drew his chair to her side, and took one of the 
fair hands into his, spreading it out on his palm, half play- 
fully, half caressingly. His voice, however, was grave and 
earnest : 

^^How, Mary, if there is anything on your mind, let me 
know what it is. I dare say it is some morbid fancy, whose 
sickly shadow can be immediately scattered by a wholesome 
ray of light. Pve puzzled myself to find a cause, but I 
cannot. It isnT anything Eonald has done? He hasnT 
been nonsensical and fallen in love below his rank, has he?^^ 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDE. 


m 


oh, no/^ faltered Lady Mary. ^^My boy has never 
given me a single pang of anxiety."" And then she added, 
suddenly, brushing olf the tears from the long lashes, and 
looking directly back to his watchful eyes: Philip, did 

you know Arthur Morley was dead?"" 

^^Morley?"" asked he, in a careless tone. ^^I"ve forgotten 
such a person. Who is it?"" 

Forgotten? Oh, Philip I"" 

Indignation, as well as reproach, deepened her tone. 

A flush of red came surging into his face. 

Bless my heart! '^hat person? I had quite forgotten 
about him. And he is dead?"" 

And then there was a long silence between the brother 
and sister, and it was the earPs turn to be fidgety and em- 
barrassed. 

Lady Mary"s pale face reflected a little of the glow on his, 
and she twisted her fingers in and out the lace ruche, de- 
stroying its pretty curves, waiting for him to speak. 

He was aware of her expectation, and presently faltered: 

^AYell, poor fellow! he was a faithful servant. You 
haven"t heard from him lately, have you?"" 

^^A servant! Philip, Philip, how dare you, now he is 
dead, deny him his due? He .has gone whither his heroic 
soul cannot hold its corroding secret — your secret and mine, 
Philip. Think how he has borne it, what he must have 
suffered — the noble exile! the devoted martyr! the risen 
saint! And you call him a faithful servant 

The soft eyes were almost fiery now, a hectic spot burned 
hotly on her cheek; she rose to her feet, and faced him in 
her fierce indignation. 

^^Well, well! what is the use of raking up these old 
troubles? The man is dead and gone. There is no help 
for it."" 

^^Ho, there is no help for it now! Philip, Philip, there 
is no help for his trials now; but what can you say for all 


126 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


these years that have come and gone over yon and me, here 
ill England, prosperous, and gay, and honored, and he 
there in Australia, alone and dreary, a man innocently ban- 
ished from his country? Can you think of it, and not 
shudder, and cower, and tremble, as I do?'"' 

The noble earl looked intensely annoyed. 

^^It is just as 1 have said!" he exclaimed, inpatiently. 

You have got your mind upon this morbid notion, and 
that is all which ails you. Be reasonable, Mary, and look 
at the thing naturally. Nothing has altered frpm the con- 
dition of things as they have been al^ these years, when you 
have been calm and happy. No change, except that the 
man is dead, and the grave covered safely over the secret. 
Your mind should be easier and lighter." 

^MVhat! rejoice that our wrong-doing is hidden forever, 
and forget that he has gone to his grave bearing another's 
burden of guilt! — no justification in his life!" 

How her eyes dilated with their anguish and indignation! 

My dear Mary, that old story is entirely forgotten. 
Who is there to rake up its smothered embers? This 
Morley, you know, was never actually sentenced — not 
proved guilty. He lived an honored and useful life there 
in Sydney. If any knew or heard the ugly rumor, they 
charitably pardoned it as the wildness of his early youth. 
I remember that Sir Hugh told me that there was not a 
man in Sydney, not even the governor, who was more hon- 
ored and respeeted than this Arthur Morley. He became a 
famous doctor, you know. Why, perhaps this very injus- 
tice was the making of his character. He was impetuous 
and passinate once, but this steadied him. Besides, Mary, 
you must remember he was only one of the common class 
after all. What little he may have* suffered, and we are not 
sure that he really did feel the deprivation, was but a trifle 
to the great trouble which must have come elsewhere. He 
was a generous fellow. It was wrong in me to call him a 


OGTAVIAS PBIBE. 


127 


servant, for he proved himself a generous friend to me. 
Sometimes, indeed, I have wondered at the depth of that 
friendship, and what I could have done to have won such 
attachment. 

At these words Lady Mary smiled bitterly. 

Philip, said she, ^^it was always strange to me that 
you were so blind. If all this rested on your conscience 
alone, do you think it would rasp and wear my spirit so? 
Arthur Morley took upon himself the woeful sacrifice, not 
from friendship to the heir of my fathers earldom, but 
from love to his daughter. Do you think if I had not al- 
lowed him to deceive himself with wild lover hopes, he 
would have consented to that blackening accusation 

Her head dropped again, her face grew deathly pale, and 
she sank back into the chair gasping for breath. 

He did not call the servant from the adjoining room, but 
found the water, and brought it to her himself, and while 
she drank, he stroked gently the soft, silken hair. 

^^’My poor Mary, and you persist in tormenting yourself 
with these useless accusations! What use? Think of it, my 
dear sister, it does not, it cannot help matters now. That 
was a wretched affair. Heaven knows we all suffered enough 
over it, but we quieted it in the best possible manner. Look 
at it calmly; imagine the great shock to our father, the in- 
conceivable distress to the whole family, the ruin for me, 
and the wide stir and calumny of the public which might 
have been, but was not, because one person stepped between. 
And after all was there any punishment for him? He did 
not suffer want. You know the moment I came in posses- 
sion I put a generous sum in the bank at his disposal. 

^‘^But he never touched it,'’^ she cried, with a thrill of 
pride in the tone. 

Because he had no need. His career there in Australia 
was singularly smooth, and free from trials. It is a great 


1^8 


0CTAVIA8 PniDZ 


consolation for me to remember it. He must have been 
happy. 

The face of the listener was writhing as with a spasm. 

Happy — Arthur Morley happy — an exile from the country 
he loved with all an Englishmans loyal fervor! 

She sprang from her chair stung almost to frenzy by her 
thoughts. 

Philip/^ cried she, hoarsely, ^^do not cheat yourself, 
nor try to cajole me into believing his life was a happy one. 
If ever there was a man abused, cajoled, his best and dear- 
est hopes trampled upon — a man whose life must have been 
one slow torture, that man was Arthur Morley. And he is 
dead — he is dead, and I can never offer him any atonement, 
never fling myself in my place — groveling at his feet.^^ 

It was a wail, rather than a broken sentence. The earl 
stood looking at her, sorely troubled and deeply alarmed for 
her. 

^^Mary, Mary, why should you take it so much at heart 
he said, speaking as calmly and soothingly as possible. If 
he was willing to stand in this place, bearing it cheerfully, 
why should you so needlessly lament and agonize over it? 
At least, he is free from everything now.^^ 

She clasped her hands, and a joyful smile broke over her 
wan face. 

Yes, he is free from all now. The martyr! The saint! 
He has gone to his reward. 

Grieve no more then. Listen to my advice, my own 
dear sister. Why should you grieve so deeply, when it is 
my place to bear the remorse. I who was the guilty one. 
You were innocent, Mary; leave the burden of remorse to 
me.^^ 

Innocent 

She repeated the word with bitter emphasis, and wrung 
her hands wildly. 


OGTAVIAS PRIDE, 


129 


He was thoroughly frightened now^ and said^ hastily and 
commandingly: 

You must talk no more now. I will not hear another 
word. I tell you_, you have grown morbid on these unwhole- 
some thoughts. You must have more company. I shall 
look after you myself. Where is this Miss Wainwright 
Lady Frances was telling me of? I was rather surprised 
at her assurance of your eagerness to accept the lady for 
your daughter. But it is a good family, and the property 
not to be disdained. Do I understand that Konald has 
actually proposed 

She did not see his artful leading of her thoughts into 
another channel, and answered, languidly: 

It is not a settled thing, by any means. Konald is very 
much in love, and I am already warmly attached to her, but 
there has been no formal declaration of any sort.^^ 

‘^1 must look into it a little. I heard something the 
other day about a suit against General Wainwright, some 
preposterous, outrageous claim or other, on the estate. 

Lady Mary turned her head quickly, with an expression 
of keen interest on her face. 

A claim oi^the estate! You must look into it, Philip; 
for my boy^s sake, you must look into it.'’^ 

Immensely relieved by this sign of returning interest, the 
earl answered, eagerly: 

To be sure I will. So you are really a little worldly on 
Ronaldos account ^ 

^‘1 am, I am — oh, I am weak, and sinful, and worldly 
everyway. And in this thing I am desperately set. Ronald 
must marry a girl good and refined, but wealthy. I would 
refuse my consent to his marriage with the most peerless 
creature in the kingdom, if she lacked a fortune.’’^ 

^^Well, it seems he has chosen according to your desires. 
But I will make inquiries. And now, Mary, where are your 
opiates? You must take another, and shall I ring for the 


130 


0 OTA VIA S PBIDE, 


waiting-maid? You may prepare for a new physician. I 
am going to take your case in my own hands, and shall take 
you down with me to Chichester Eookery as soon as you can 
hear the journey. Don^’t frown. Fll have General Wain- 
wright and the fair heiress down there. You need cheerful 
society.’ Good-by, dear, I^m going to look up Eonald.^^ 

The moment the earl took leave. Lady Mary rose to her 
feet and looked around her drearily. 

Oh, why was I afraid to tell him the whole? He says 
I am innocent! Innocent! Oh, that I could change places 
with Mm ! Oh, that I could change this satin-hung couch 
for the dreary Australian grave 

And as the maid entered, she took the opiate, flung her- 
self upon the couch, and with her arms thrown up around 
her head in the fashion of a grieved child, turned her face 
to the pillow, and closed her eyes. 


CHAPTEE XIII. 

YOU KKEW OE DOCTOR MOBLEY ?^^ 

% 

Jane West looked over to the pursuing boat, and then 
cast a swift, yearning glance toward the gracefully outlined 
ship, and pulled with desperate strength upon the oars, 
her own little craft whirled along upon a swift, though 
somewhat uneven course. The light scuds which had been 
drifting loosely across the sky gathered together in a solid 
mass, threatening to obscure the starlight, and the wind 
rose, gathering strength as the clouds darkened and tossed 
the waves into miniature mountains. As she perceived how 
the swelling water and the gathering darkness hid from her, 
every other moment, the little eggshell which brought Mr. 
Aaron Morley and the policeman in pursuit, she smiled 
triumphantly. 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


131 


I shall escape. In a little while they will not be able to 
see me at all/^ muttered she; and^ cheered by the thought, 
she allowed herself to rest a moment on the oars. 

Mr. Aaron Morley at that moment became satisfied of 
the same thing, and stung by chagrin and anger, he did a 
cowardly and shameful act. He pulled out a large horse- 
pistol, which he had thrust into his pocket at the first sound 
of a footstep in Doctor Morley^s office, waited until their 
boat rose upon the crest of the waves and revealed the 
black line beyond, marking the spot where Jane West man- 
aged her little craft so gallantly, and then resting the ugly 
weapon on the edge of the boat, he took deliberate aim, and 
fired. 

There is no harm in winging the bird, if there is no 
other way to stop its fiight,^^ he said, with a sardonic sneer. 

Even the policeman was indignant. 

It^s a woman, all alone, sir,^^ remarked he, and the 
worst thing you have accused her of is theft. 

A little stinging cramp across her shoulder came simul- 
taneously with the report of the fire-arm to Jane West, so 
she knew what it meant. 

^^That cowardly villain said she, and seized the oar 
with renewed vigor. ^^How I pray that the squall may 
come.^'’ 

She never touched her shoulder to ascertain the depth of 
the wound, but she turned the skiff in another direction, 
while she murmured: 

I must not go to the ship now. They understand that 
I was trying for it.^^ 

In a moment more the squall came. The angry clouds ' 
above rushed together like a line of black warriors flinging 
themselves into battle. The wind swooped down, like the 
rush of a mighty bird of prey lashing the water with its 
fierce wings. The great ship, safely anchored beyond, only 


132 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE, 


swung to and fro, and rocked and creaked; but the little 
eggshell boat was like a feather in a whirlpool. 

Jane let go the oar, while the spray flew over her in rather 
uncomfortable shower-baths, and clung to the seat, expect- 
ing every moment to be tossed out upon the chilling wave. 
The fog and the darkness shut down around her, wiping 
out everything, and leaving only a staring black space, 
which her straining eyes in vain essayed to pierce. A sud- 
den shock, the lurch and quivering of her frail craft, and 
the event she dreaded came. She was tossed out as a cork 
might be flung upon the river. She screamed for help in- 
voluntarily, though she believed she had drifted against 
Aaron Morley^s boat. A stout, hearty voice responded close 
at hand: 

Ahoy there! When's in trouble? Blast this nasty fog. 
I^m here bending over the stern of my boat. Where are 
you? Sing out again if there^s help wanted.'’^ 

Jane struggled toward the voice, buoyed up by her 
clothing, and regaining her presence of mind. 

I am a helpless woman, trying to escape from a cow- 
ardly man,^^ said she. Help me, I pray you.-^^ 

And in a moment after she was able to discern the outline 
of a boat, and a dark flgure stooping down to the water. 
^^Here! here!^^ cried she, gasping and panting. 

He pushed a stroke with the oar, and seized her. It was 
the wounded shoulder, but Jane did not utter a cry. She sat 
down in the bottom of his boat as soon as he had dragged 
her in, and tried to stop shivering. 

The man, whoever he was, for the darkness would not al- 
low her to see his face to tell if it was familiar, began 
"whistling. 

This is a queer go, said he, presently. Where do 
you want me to take you? for I suppose you expect me to 
carry you where you were going, since I^ve run into you, 
and lost you your boat.'’^ 


0CTAVIA8 PBIDE. 


133 


I hope you will be kind enough to help me/^ answered 
Jane. And above all, I beg of you to save me from that 
boat which has been following after me.''^ 

My eyes! and was that why they fired? I heard the 
shot, and like a fool put out .of my course to see what it 
meant. AVhat were they firing at you for?^^ 

■ Because I was trying to get away from them.^^ 

But what did they want of you?"^ 

It was curious how the voices of these two talking in the 
dark showed to each just the other^s expression of 
countenance. 

Jane knew that the man^s eyes were peering down upon 
her, glinting with their eager curiosity, his mouth open, 
his ears even agape. And he was as well aware that a 
stern gravity darkened her eyes and set her lips together 
grimly. 

I do not know as I could make you understand if I 
tried, and I am not sure that I ought to try. Are you 
a sailor belonging to the ship beyond, or a Sydney boat- 
man 

I have lived in Sydney these dozen years, ma^am.^^ 

Her voice showed how her face brightened. 

^^Then you knew of Doctor Morley?^^ 

In course I did, ma^am. The Lord bless him, as no 
doubt he has done before now. There^s not his likes to be 
seen again in Sydney. 

^^IN'ow may Heaven be praised ejaculated Jane, the 
first hysterical sob catching at the steadiness of her voice. 
^'Now I. know you will help me. What good thing has he 
done for you?^^ 

Faith, ma^am, and it’s not one, nor two, but nearer a 
dozen. But the best of all was setting my Jimmy^s broken 
jaw, so there’s never a sign of the fracture to mar his good 
looks. How closely that good man watched a poor boy, 
knowing as how he was never to get a fee for it!” 


134 


OCT AVIA 8 PRIDE. 


^^What! You are Jimmy Owen^s father? Listen, sir, 
you are going to pay Doctor Morley^s fee now. There was 
something he wanted done very much — a package to he 
carried to England by my own hands, and this man, his 
brother, who is the heir, says it shall not go. I am running 
away with it. I am Jane West, the woman who kept his 
house and helped in his office. You know, by yourself, 
.that one must be willing to face any danger rather than fail 
to fulfill a request of Doctor Morley^s. They are coming 
hunting for me. Oh, if there was only- a ship below, all 
ready to sail for England 

Bless your good heart exclaimed the man, in a perfect 
fervor of delight, ^^there^s the Eoyal Bess down below, 
ready to slip ofi the very minute the wind changes. Eve 
just come up from taking down a bundle they forgot, to 
the captaiffis wife. Ifil take you down straight off. They 
shaVt get you. So youTe Miss Jane. Well, well! Jimmy 
has told me enough about your nursing and fussing over 
him. Ifil take you anywhere you say, miss, and Ed just 
like a chance to pay off the man as fired that lubberly shot 
at you. How did he know it would miss?^^ 

Jane did not say that it was hardly a miss, but she asked, 
anxiously: 

^^Do you think they would take me on board the vessel? 
Would they let me go to England with them just as I am? 
I have clothing in this bag tied on my back, and my money, 
I suppose, can be dried and made as good as new. I must 
not go back to Sydney, for he has the law on his side, and 
can compel me to give up tho packet.'’^ 

''^Take you! I should think Captain Warner would be 
a pretty sailor if he wouldnT help a woman in trouble. 

Hush!^^ cried Jane, ^^the boat is coming this way. DonT 
you hear their voices? How they are shouting !^^ 

Her new protector groped about for his other oar. 

Wefil see about their catching you. lEs best to make 


OCTAVIA^S FBIDK 


135 


a lively movement, though; for in ten minutes it will be 
brightened up here/^ 

What a noise they makeP said Jane, uneasily. 

^^Mebbe theyVe found your empty boat. Ten to one 
they ^11 believe you drowned. Youhe cold from the water, 
ainT you? Mebbe you wouldn't object to a drop of spirit, 
just to keep off a chill. 

"" I shall be well enough, said Jane, if only they will 
take me aboard that ship.^^ 

Yever you fear for that, ma^am. Til 'risk all IVe got 
on Captain Warner’s good heart.” 

hTothing more was said, and the kind boatman saved his 
breath to be used with his lusty exertions at the oar. 

He was right about the squall. The clouds were scudding 
away, and the wind dropped down to a light air. One by 
one, in little patches of cleared sky, the stars looked out 
again. 

J ane looked back anxiously for every sign of Aaron Mor- 
ley’s boat, but they were on the other side of the ship now, 
and the boatman was aiming still farther out toward the 
sea. 

He only paused twice to wipe away the streaming per- 
spiration from his face, and once to rest his arms. 

You are very kind,” said Jane, softly, and though he 
did not guess it, the tears began to drop silently down her 
cheeks. 

The most I can do will be little enough for all that has 
been done for Jimmy and me.” 

Ah, yes. It is the payment of Doctor Morley’s debt. 
It is all we can, any of us, do for him now.” 

There, ma’am, look off to the right. Don’t you see 
her poles raking against the sky? That’s the Eoyal Bess, 
and it’s my opinion she won’t have to wait long for the right 
sort of a breeze.” 

Less than an hour afterward Jane West stood on the deck 


136 


0GTAVIA8 FRIDE, 


of the British ship. Her grave^ earnest face^ the clear, 
truthful eyes, confirmed the good account James Owen had 
given so enthusiastically. The captain^’s wife took her 
kindly and tenderly by the hand and led her down into the 
cabin to obtain dry clothing and warming drinks. 

The captain, meanwhile, had been giving James Owen 
instructions about drawing her money from the bank, by 
means of the book she had so thoughtfully provided, and 
transmitting it through the proper channels to a London 
banker. 

Just before daylight came the welcome breeze, and the 
sails were shaken out merrily, and the Eoyal Bess glided out 
of the cove into the noble harbor and sped away on her 
ocean pathway. She passed into Table Bay one clear after- 
noon, and ran alongside a ship fiying the English J ack. 

Her eager group on deck, watching for the picturesque 
shores of Cape Town, saw plainly the people on the other 
vessel, and Captain Warner sung out presently, in a hearty 
voice: 

Ahoy, there, Lo Leyard! What are you doing out here 
at the outer anchorage 

^^Is that you, Warner? Where from?’^ shouted back 
Captain Lo, for it was the Sea Foam lying there at anchor. 

From Sydney, bound to Liverpool. Where do you hail 
from, and how goes the world 

IVe had a confounded slow passage from home, and am 
bound to India. Stopped here to land a crew of ship- 
wrecked sailors. Ifil take a boat and come to you when 
yon anchor. I want a word with you, Warner.'’^ 

And so it happened that when the Eoyal Bess sailed away 
in one direction, and the Sea Foam was towed in the other, 
the two ship-masters waved each other a farewell which had 
an accompanying glance of significance. 

^^How my mind is very easy,^^ muttered Captain Lo. 


l37 


OCT AVIA'S PHIDK 

Warner is a man to do as he says. He will look after the 
poor lad;, and I may stop worrying.'’^ 

• Captain Warner drew his mate^^s attention by his long 
study of the charts. 

^‘^Fm thinking, Mr. Mack/^ said he, presently, ^"that I 
shall try a new course. It can^t make much difference at 
this season, to run out a little farther west — something near 
the outward track/^ 

His wife and Jane West, standing near, smiled at each 
other. 

That^s to give us a peep at that island he^s been describ- 
ing,^^ said the former, though I don^’t understand that jest 
of his about taking another unexpected passenger, since the 
first has given so much satisfaction.'’^ 

^‘'This will be the third, said Jane, carelessly. ^^You 
forget the old man — one of those who were shipwrecked, 
you know — who is going back to England with . us. A 
strange-looking person. His eyes almost frightened me. ’^ 


CHAPTEE XIV. 

ALOKE I 

The sky smiled down upon him sweetly calm. The wind, 
rustling softly among the group of cocoa trees on the knoll 
behind the coral rock on which he stood, seemed to whisper 
soft assurances of sympathy and companionship. The steady 
sough of the waves was pleasing and cheerful, and had not 
yet impressed him with the solemn dreariness that came 
afterward to be associated with its sound. 

Will Yarrel stood looking off to the sparkling sea, adown 
Avhose blue-green rim the ship had slipped away and disap- 
peared, and turned back to glance over the solid land be- 
hind him, which rose in high bowlders of volcanic gray, in- 


138 


ObTAtlAS Pbidk 


terspersed with little slopes luxuriant with the lovely tropic 
verdure^ and watered by tumbling cascades of silver sheen 
plunging from the rocks, with an exultant consciousness of 
safety and freedom. 

At last, at last!^^ murmured he, walking to and fro; 
am free from persecution — I am safe from all espionage of 
friend or foe. Here I am sovereign, with none to dispute 
my royal will.^^ 

The brown eyes lighted up with a wonderful splendor; a 
rich glow came to the hitherto pallid cheek. 

I will be happy. I will enjoy this novel, romantic ex- 
perience!^^ cried out Will Yarrel. And still smiling, he ran 
down the slope to the primitive cabin which had stood the 
shocks of time and weather, and remained to give shelter to 
any shipwrecked wretch ever since the first attempt to make 
an English penal settlement of the island. Some charitable 
whalemen had left a few necessary implements and culinary 
articles indispensable even to a Eobinson Crusoe. But Cap- 
tain Lo had taken care to provide more generously. His 
hasty sweep of the caboose of the Sea Foam had given to 
his deserted passenger quite a stock of housekeeping goods. 

Will Yarrel smiled, yet a tear also glistened in his eye, as 
he saw the promiscuous heap on the smooth, paved floor. 

With a singular, womanish eagerness, he went to settling 
everything in order, peeping into boxes and bags, packing 
books neatly, and finally he went out, wrenched off some 
long, fan-like branches from an unknown shrub, and mak- 
ing a broom of them, swept out the place, and set open the 
log door to allow the warm air to dry up the damp and 
musty odor within. 

Captain Lo had hung a hammock in one corner, and 
made ready what he considered a far more important affair, 
a signal, which the lonely islander could hoist to the top of 
a tall palm, and thus be likely to insure the notice of any 
ship whose course led them in sight of the island. 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


139 


The cabin was on the highest point of land^ and com- 
manded a glorious view^ alike of the far-stretching ocean of 
blue, and the almost as ^ billowy sea of green behind; for, 
between the rocky ridges Avhich ran athwart the island, was 
a sort of long valley whose dense vegetation amply atoned 
for the barrenness of the rocky heights. From these last, 
at irregular intervals, fell the lovely cascades; in some places 
like a hunter^s silver horn ; in another misty as a sea- 
nymplFs vail ; and again spreading forth broad and fan- 
like, and giving out a steady monotone of sound which 
seemed to mock saucily the deep roar of the surf at the edge 
beyond, where there was always a white wreath of foam, let 
the waves elsewhere be placed as they might. 

Will Yarrel, every time his busy employment led him out 
of the cabin, paused to look around on this scene with 
kindling eyes. 

^^It is beautiful! — so beautiful!^^ exclaimed he, two or 
three times. I do not believe I shall welcome any ship 
that may come to take me away.^^ 

Two hours industriously spent had made quite a trans- 
formation in the cabin. Everything looked orderly, and 
by no means uninviting. The youthful proprietor took a 
satisfied survey, and then ran off down the slope into a tract 
of high, verdurous turf that seemed neither grass nor 
moss, and was studded thickly with the most gorgeous blos- 
soms. He gathered two great bunches, snatching greedily, 
even when both hands were full, at a certain creamy white, 
starry flower which wafted to him an odorous sigh of invita- 
tion. The only glass vessel was conflscated to their use, and 
they were set upon the rude table before he thought of put- 
ting on the food which his swift and persistent exertions 
had rendered exceedingly welcome. Of the latter, indeed, 
there was no lack. Poor, conscience-stricken Captain Lo 
had left enough for a half-dozen men. Will Yarrel looked 
at the row of sealed cans of preserved meats and fruits, and 


140 


OCT AVI AS PRIOR 


smiled rather wistfully. He brought out the hard bread and 
cold meat, and a tiny box of guava, and then ran down to 
the rock which poured its nectar with a playful babble into 
the hollowed coral basin below, and filled his pitcher. He 
sat down to the meal evidently in a happy humor, and par- 
took with keen zest, breaking out into a musical laugh every 
now and then. 

If I had only Eobinson Crusoe^’s dog and cat,^^ he said, 
as he rose, ^^or,"^^ and the words came slowly, a single 
companion, congenial and kind, what a paradise I might 
find it here!^^ 

A cloud rested a moment on the youthful face, but it 
faded away, as Will Yarrel, after setting everything back 
into the closet improvised out of a great box which had held 
the provisions from the ship, went out on the velvety slope 
before the cabin door, and sat down there, feasting his eyes 
upon the scene. 

That peculiar, wonderful brightness of the sea and sky, 
the brilliancy of coloring everywhere, was hazing over, not 
with the mists, but with the tender dimness of approaching 
nightfall. Grandly beautiful were the shifting pictures 
which passed before his entranced vision. Wonderful and 
most magical of all alchemists and artists is loving Nature, 
if but an appreciative eye is open to behold and admire. A 
violet haze crept over the sea in the coves, and under the 
beetling cliffs. A tender languor brooded over the foliage 
whose diversified green took on a golden tint. The gray 
rocks softened to a purple brown, and the leaping water 
fiowing over them was no longer hashing silver, but pearl, 
with rifts of steel. Violet and gold, and a crimson that 
outshone the glory of the reddest rose in the Cashmere 
vales hashed up along the western sky, and transfigured all 
things. 

The vines which had crept unmolested for lonely years 
till they had matted a thick canopy over the roof and sides 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


141 


of the little cabin, seemed to have received a Midas touch, 
and every leaf had a golden outline. The charm was com- 
pleted when a rush of birds hurried suddenly from the belt 
of reeds edging the little inlet on the northerly side, and 
bore on their glistening wings the same rainbow tints that 
t*he sky and the flowers showed, and flying, sang brokenly. 
AYill Yarrel sat there in a perfect ecstasy of delight. Pres- 
ently he broke forth in a rich, silvery voice in a devotional 
hymn of praise. 

He sat there until the glories faded ofl, and neutral tints 
and somber shadows crept over sea and sky, and hung low 
upon the plain below. 

The great brown eyes caught the first glimmer of the 
earliest star that trembled through the tender gloom. AVhen 
the shining host were all marshaled forth upon the azure 
field the jubilant voice singing forth its gladness ceased sud- 
denly. Will Yarrel rose and went into the cabin, closed the 
door, and clambered into the hammock. His evening de- 
votions had been paid there at the glorious altar when the 
pealing hymn had given forth his grateful praise. He was 
tired in body and weary also in mind. He fell asleep 
sweetly and calmly, but at what he judged to be dead mid- 
night, he woke suddenly under startling and unpleasant im- 
pressions which he could hardly define. 

It was a moment or two ere he became conscious of his 
situation. He missed vaguely the rocking of the ship and 
the splashing of the waves, and he put his hand out for the 
sides of the berth, and finding none sat up, roused into 
instantaneous wakefulness. 

Then he heard the sullen beat of the surf and the lighter 
tinkle of the waterfall, and remembered all things. It was 
impossible to sleep again. The solemn silence"^ which fell 
upon him now, with an ocean beating on all sides, and he 
the sole human being upon it, oppressed, startled, terrified 
him. His mood had so utterly changed, that when he re- 


142 


OCTAVIA'8 PRIDE. 


membered the triumph and exultation of the previous even- 
ing it seemed to him the hight of folly and insanity. 
Trembling, shuddering, his heart beating like hammer 
strokes, he slid down from the hammock and crept to the 
door. Alone! utterly, entirely alone, l^ot another human 
being nearer than upon that distant coast between which 
and this deserted isle rolled leagues and leagues of foaming 
billows. It was horrible, agonizing, heart-rending! Will 
Yarrel sat down upon the door-step, and covering his face 
with his hands, burst into a fit of passionate weeping like 
that of a grieved and terrified child. Once he started up 
and ran down to the water^s edge, unmindful ol his stum- 
bling steps, and stretching out his arms shrieked rather than 
called: 

^^Oh, Captain Leyard, Captain Leyard, come back! 
come back! I cannot bear it. I shall die of horror and 
terror. 

The echoes tossed back the despairing cry. 

Then Will YarreFs sorrow broke out afresh. 

^^What have I done? oh, what have I done, that the 
world has dealt so cruelly by me? I have meant no one ill. 
I have never done a wicked act. Why must I suffer so 
much?'’^ 

He paused abruptly, for there was the sound as of stealthy 
steps creeping toward him along the wet sand. 

Scarcely breathing, the youth stood listening, with 
dilated eyes seeking vainly to pierce the dimness. Then 
there was a splash beyond, and the positive certainty of a 
deep-drawn breath. 

Wild animals, savages, every horrible possibility darted 
through his mind. 

With a Ibw shriek. Will Yarrel turned and fied, and gain- 
ing the cabin, closed the door, and shoved against it the 
bench and table both. He sat half an hour listening and 
trembling, hearing a creature of some sort tramping and 


0CTAVIA8 PRIDE. 


143 


puffing around. After that all was quiet again. Then this 
trembling sovereign of the deserted isle found the priceless 
box of lucifer matches and the candles Captain Lo had 
been thoughtful enough to provide. Illumination of the 
scene somehow seemed to insure protection. This fright a 
little dispersed, he was able to judge that the disturbance 
outside must have come from a crawling turtle or a roving 
seal. In a little time Will Yarrel removed the barricades 
from the door, and looked out. The stars were shining, 
ah, how tenderly and protectingly! Looking up to those 
solemn heights, wherein immeasurable worlds were noise- 
lessly sailing on an unerring course. Will Yarrel stood re- 
buked, ashamed, convicted. 

The Great Euler of this illimitable universe was also the 
loving Father of the humblest earthly child. Why should 
he tremble? What should he fear here, where primitive 
‘innocence reigned, and Heaven watched above? Once more 
the tears stole down that youthful cheek, but they were no 
longer hot and bitter. A holy calm, a sweet serenity dis- 
persed rebellion and alarm. 

He sat down there on the bank, still gazing upward. 
They were his friends, his safeguard, his consolation thence- 
forward — those far off, silent, solemn stars. 

It was Will YarreFs first fright, and his last while the 
island was his home. 


CHAPTER XV. 

SAVED. 

Chichester Rookery was one of the most charrqing country 
seats in a shire filled with beautiful homes, and picturesque 
villas. 

Fortunate was that person deemed who received from its 
noble owners an invitation to enter its eboicely culled circle 


144 


OCT AVI AS PBIDK 


as a summer guest. Greats then^ was General Wainwright^s 
pride and satisfaction when his daughter brought to him 
the satin-tied^ daintily perfumed note of invitation, with a 
penciled line from the earl himself, insisting that the in- 
valid veteran and his fair daughter should honor them by 
its acceptance. 

Octavia, my darling, this is beyond any expectation of 
mine. I scarcely know the Earl of Chichester. I am at a 
loss to explain this gracious invitation, unless 

He saw the rich color drifting into Miss Wainwright^s 
cheek, and smiled triumphantly, as he added: 

Ah, I am stupid! To think I was going to accept the 
compliment for myself I But I am prouder to know it is 
meant for you, Octavia. The earl is Lord Konald Falkner's 
uncle. That explains the whole. 

Octavia did not deny that he had seized the right solu- 
tion, but, leaning her head pensively on her hands, she 
asked: 

And will you be able to go, papa? You have improved 
so much of late it really seems practicable.^^ 

There is no harm in trying. I. shall have Dixon with 
me, and I need not mix much with the gay people. Ah, 
my darling, I shall bask in the reflected glory of my daugh- 
ter's conquest.''^ 

Accordingly in a week afterward they arrived in their 
own carriage at Chichester Eookery. 

They were shown promptly to the most comfortable apart- 
ments opening from a suite devoted to their private use, 
and when sufficient time had been given them to recover 
from their fatigue, the earl and his aristocratic wife hastened 
to meet them and give them the most cordial welcome. 

Only a few of our expected guests have arrived as yet,^^ 
said their noble host. We wished to have a little cozy visit 
from you before the rush. Scarcely any one is here beyond 
our own people, which last of course includes my sister. 




OCT AVI A^ 8 PHIDR 145 

Lady Falkner^ and her son. I have . a surprise for Eonald, 
Miss Wainwright. He is coming down to-day^ and does 
not dream of the presence of a certain fair guest of ours.^'’ 
Miss Wainwright was too self-possessed and well-bred to 
be confused by this little attack^ but a brighter color flushed 
into her cheek. 

And as for you^ general^ we are going to be as prudent 
as possible in your behalf/^ continued the earl^ smilingly. 

Sir James will come down regularly to look after my sister^ 
and we shall flt up a retreat for the pair of you^ into which 
no one shall intrude without your special permission. 

Lady Falkner, I trusty is not a conflrmed invalid/^ said 
the general. 

We do not mean she shall be. I am a little anxious 
about her though. You must not dwell upon your ailments^ 
either of you, but cultivate cheerfulness and light-hearted- 
ness, which is the most magical panacea. You will of course 
be completely at home here, and when you are disposed to 
shun the confusion of the drawing-room, have no scruples 
about secluding yourself. Oh, by the way, we have a young 
man here who is a vastly entertaining and useful person in 
such a company as we shall have, and he will be very agree- 
able, general, I am sure, if you want any dull hours whiled 
away. He came very warmly recommended to me, and is 
going out to Australia, where he will look after some loose 
business affairs of mine. I have him down here to hunt 
up the papers he will require; but I And him so gentle- 
manly and cultured (besides I understand he has quite high 
expectations), that I shall gladly introduce him to my 
guests, among whom I believe there are no susceptible 
young ladies. Forewarned, forearmed, you know. Miss 
Wainwright. 

Octavia smiled gayly. 

And now, if you please, papa, I will leave you awhile 


146 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


and pay my respects to Lady Falkner. The countess tells 
me she is waiting to see me/^ 

The general, taking discretion as the better part of 
valor/^ decided to take his dinner alone in his room. But 
Octavia was escorted by the earl himself, and in the dining- 
room received her introduction to the exceedingly useful 
and entertaining^^ young gentleman who was to transact 
the Australian affairs. 

Octavia bit her lip, and then smiled mischievously, while 
Felix — for it was he — turned white with strangely mingling 
rage and delight. 

‘'‘^This is Mr. Thorne, Miss Wainwright. Mr. — why, 

were you acquainted before 

Very well acquainted, indeed, your lordship, answered 
Miss Wain wright. You were right in your conjectures. 
My father will be perfectly delighted with your young gen- 
tleman. How do you do, Felix 

Felix mechanically lifted his hand and touched frigidly 
the outstretched fingers, murmured some inarticulate sen- 
tence, and dropped into his place. 

Octavia could scarcely explain why she was secretly so 
angry at his behavior. But- she sat throughout the dinner, 
listening eagerly to the varied and cultured conversation 
which ensued. She saw Felix, for the first time, in the light 
of his really brilliant conversational talents, and could not 
fail to perceive with what battering deference the noble 
host followed the young man^s words. 

He never once addressed Miss Wain wright, but it would 
have been folly for him to deny how her presence exhilarated 
him, or that half the object of his animated and eloquent 
description was to exhibit to her the real value put upon 
him by these people above her own rank as much as she had 
presumed herself to be beyond her fathers secretary. 

As they passed from the dining-room she made a gesture 
which he was compelled to obey. 




octaVias prim. U1 

Felix/^ said she^ authoritatively^ I want you to let me 
take you up to see papa/^ 

He bowed coldly and in silence. 

Biting her scarlet lip angrily, she said, hastily: 

‘^‘^Papa, at least, has claim upon your good nature. He 
was fond of you almost to foolishness. He is sick, and a 
little gratification produces wonderful results. It is for his 
sake I ask it.^^ 

never doubted that, Miss Wain wright. I have very 
little time to spare from the business which brought me 
here, but what is at my disposal is at General Wainwright^s 
service.^'’ 

Come, then, at once,^"" she said, assuming playfulness to 
hide her anger and resentment, and, turning to the count- 
ess, she added, gayly, Will not your ladyship come also 
to .witness my fathers surprise and pleasure 

The latter gave smiling assent, and the trio entered the 
generahs little parlor just as he was settling himself com- 
fortably for a nap in the easy-chair. His face brightened, 
and he rose eagerly, with a sincerity of friendship which 
could not fail to touch Felix, despite his sullenness. 

Why, Felix Thorne, where have you dropped from?^^ 

Not from the skies, certainly, said Oct avia, meaningly, 
he is altogether too wicked for that. Now we can leave 
you, satisfied that you will be kept in good spirits. He is 
the same young man whose entetrtaining society was prom- 
ised you. Make the most of it, papa.^^ 

What, the young man going to Australia? Tut, tut, 
Felix; that is a very stupid movement in you. What can 
Australia do better than England?"" 

She has not told him a single word,"" thought Felix, 
and fell to pondering on her motives for concealment. 

Octavia glanced back as she followed the countess down 
to the drawing-room, and said to herself: 

He is certainly a remarkable person. No one can deny 




148 OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 

great powers and mental strength to Felix. Poor Felix! I 
wonder — no, I do not wonder. I believe he has trampled 
upon that foolish love of his, and conquered it.'’^ 

And then she sighed, and knew not wherefore, and en- 
tered the drawing-room and talked pensively with Lady 
Mary Falkner, and when they asked for her to sing, she 
hunted up a wild, melancholy air, which made them all 
shiver, and becoming presently aware of its effect, she struck 
off into a fairy extravaganza, in the midst of whose gay 
echoes arrived Lord Eonald, and dispersed both the song 
and the melancholy. 

Felix meanwhile brightened out of his secret perplexities 
and anxieties to give the old general one of the old-time 
tete-a-tetes, and though he did not give the latter anything 
like a satisfactory account of his singular and abrupt leave- 
taking, he kept him entertained and in good humor with 
all around him. 

Octavia glanced around the spacious rooms when she en- 
tered them, more charming than ever in her tasteful even- 
ing costume, and decided that Felix was still sulky and 
meant to avoid her. She knew how pleasantly he had be- 
guiled the time for her father, because she had slipped into 
the generaFs room to obtain his approval of her dress, for 
Octavia Wainwright had hitherto taken most pleasure in 
her toilet, because of the proud sparkle of admiration its effect 
would bring to a fathers eye. 

She had looped a spray of jasmine in among the golden 
braids to-night, from a queer caprice. Would Felix remem- 
ber how once, when they had been sketching in the garden, 
he had laid just such a spray across her hair, and smiled ap- 
proval? And then it occurred to her how odd it was she 
should be thinking more of pleasing the eye of the humble 
secretary than of the noble Lord Eonald. 

But Felix was nowhere to be seen. Octavia, however, 
was none the less dazzling in Lord Eonald^s eyes. 




OCTAVIA’8 FBIDE. U9 

She moved among the little group like a princess born. 

There were some twenty people present, half of them 
evening visitors from the neighborhood. Presently, out of 
somebody^s sudden inspiration, came the suggestion that 
there should be impromptu tableaux, and Lord Konald was 
prompt to seize upon it. Straightway the younger people 
repaired to the music-room, and a stage was presently ar- 
ranged, with a small portable but heavy chandelier, brought 
from the hall to give additional light, suspended above it. 

Octavia was seized upon for a Cleopatra, and was stand- 
ing on the stage under the chandelier, posed in the attitude 
required, while Lord Konald, as Antony, was approaching to 
kneel before her, when there came a sudden wild shriek, 
rather than cry, which made them all turn in horror. 

Octavia had no time to seek an explanation. A pair of 
strong arms seized her and leaped across the room. At the 
same momejit there came a crash — the chandelier lay a 
broken heap upon the floor, the carpet of which, and the 
light articles lying underneath, ‘ivoro almost instantaneously 
in a blaze. The hook, upon which the servants had hung 
the chandelier, was utterly insufficient for the unusual 
weight. One keen eye had marked its oscillation and sus- 
picious wavering; had seen who stood directly under the 
massive combination of bronze and crystal, and acted 
promptly. 

For one moment Octavia lay against that shuddering heart 
and felt its bounding pulsations. 

Overcome his- love, indeed ! She would never again need 
assurance of the falseness of that imputation. 

^^Oh, Felix cried she, softly, while all around was the 
wildest confusion, ^^who can tell what you have saved me 
from? You are noble and generous, Felix. 

His eyes shone brilliantly with secret joy, but he held 
himself grave and cold. 


150 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE. 


He put her safely on a chair^ bowing with the most cere- 
monious politeness. 

^^lam happy to have been of service to Miss Wain- 
wright.^^ 

And he hastened to make himself useful in extinguishing 
the fire and quieting the alarm of the ladies. 

Lord Eonald, although out of the range of the circle be- 
neath the chandelier, was struck by a flying fragment, and 
his cheek slightly wounded. As soon as he had cleared it 
from the flowing blood he came, in a transport of grateful 
relief, and seized Felix by the hand. 

^^Mr. Thorne, you have made me your life-long debtor! 
To think what might have happened! That precious life, 
that glorious loveliness threatened by so frightful a disaster! 
Oh, sir, what a calamity you have spared us! — what a ser- 
vice you have rendered me 

Every feature of the young lord^s face quivered with the 
earnestness of his agitated heart. His eyes were too misty 
to see what a ghastliness was on the otheFs countenance. 

Felix spoke hoarsely and through shut teeth. How at 
that moment his wild hatred for the handsome young noble- 
man flared up in his passionate heart! 

''^It is of no consequence, sir,^^ he said; ^^you owe me 
nothing. 

And he tried to break away, but Lord Eonald^s hasty 
hand held him. 

^^Owe you nothing?'^ repeated Lord Eonald. ^^What! 
Do you not guess all that she is to me?'^ 

This time his hand was not strong enough to hold. Felix 
dragged himself away, darted through the door, and never 
paused until he had gained the night air. At the rear 
vestibule he paused and turned his sternly set face to catch 
the cool air and the reviving moisture of the softly descend- 
ing dew. 

Two hours he stood there, motionless, like one of the 


OCT AVIA 8 TRIBE. 


151 


carved statues beyond^ grim, and dark, and cold, and only 
once moved or spoke. Then he raised his arm slowly and 
struck his clenched hand against his forehead. 

Fate is hard to me. Bitterly cruel is it that there should 
be but one thing in the world beautiful and desirable in my 
eyes, and yet that one hope be relentlessly crushed 

There came a stir through the garden branches; a stately 
figure glided forward from the balcony where she had been 
Stationed watching him. 

Felix, said she, in a voice strangely blended of grief 
and joy. 

Miss Wainwright,^^ was answered, coldly and angrily. 

You have saved my life probably. Felix, Felix, I can- 
not leave you to be so bitterly angry with me! What can I 
say? What can I do?^^ 

He started and moved a step toward her, his whole frame 
trembling. 

Octavia, there is one word you can say — only one.^^ 

That is impossible, said she, more sadly than scorn- 
fully. 

But his anger blazed out again. 

^^Go, go,^^ cried he, fiercely. Nothing is impossible to 
a brave and earnest heart. But you are willing to crush my 
happiness, to ruin my life — by Heaven! I am not sure but 
you stab your own heart all to gratify your indomitable 
pride. GoT^ 

She crept back to the balcony without a word, while Felix 
stalked away to the house and up to his private apartment. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

WILL. 

Great was the curiosity of all on board the good ship 
Royal Bess when they sighted Trinidad, and saw the signal 


15.2 


OCTAVIAS PniDR 


flag, which Captain Lb had left to Will Yarrel, still flutter- 
ing from the tall palm. 

^^Why, there^s some one on the island needing helpP 
exclaimed the mate, snatching up the glass, and peering 
anxiously through it, and turning to the captain, aston- 
ished to find him so cool over the exciting discovery. ^^How 
fortunate it is that you came so far out of the course, sir. 
I actually believe there are other survivors of some disaster 
needing help.'^^' 

Quite likely. The flag certainly calls for an investiga- 
tion. I shall go ashore, answered Captain Warner, unable 
to repress a little significant smile, which was not lost upon 
a keen eye close beside them. 

^^It is odd enough that you should bring me back to just 
the spot from which the Sea Foam took me,^^ interposed 
the old man who, at such a late hour, had concluded to leave 
his companions in disaster to wait for the expected packet, 
and^had taken passage with the Eoyal Bess. might 
have staid here all the time, and been vastly more comfort- 
able, I dare say.^^ 

Captain Warner gave him a careless glance, for his 
friend, the master of the Sea Foam, making sure that the 
old man had taken berths with the others, had given him 
no hint of his connection with the little romance. 

You didnT leave any of your comrades here by acci- 
dent, did you?^^ 

had no comrades, was the rather sullen reply; 
^^andl should suppose every one in that case would have 
looked out for himself. The water is bad enough, but a 
barren island is worse. If once I set my foot on firm En- 
glish soil, you y^onT catch me allowing myself to be trapped 
into any such risks as these. 

Jane West happened to be just coming from the com- 
panion-way, and heard the remark. 


' OCT AVIA'S PRIDE, 


153 


Do you mean/'^ asked she_, that you were trapped to 
make the original voyage 

Something cussedly like it” answered he^ savagely. 
^‘^But ril have my pay."’"’ 

Jane shrank away from the gleaming eye^ and went 
forward on the deck where the sailors were gathered to- 
gether in a knot discussing the nature, of the flag^s appeal. 
On6 of them had a sore hand^ and another a bad cough. 
She had glided very quietly and unostentatiously into the 
sphere for which her peculiar education had prepared her. 
One and all of the crew held a profound respect, as well as 
an implicit faith, in the new doctor, albeit she was a 
woman. 

When the boat was lowered from the davits; there was a 
silent but eloquent appeal from many eager faces, but Cap- 
tain Warner said, shortly: 

^^^sTone but my own boat^s crew and the ladies can ac- 
company me on t;his landing. When we return, the 
other boat may take the rest of you with the empty water 
casks. 

The sea was unusually smooth, and a landing was effected 
without much difficulty. Before the boat touched the rocky 
shore, however, they discovered a slender, graceful figure 
standing on the point watching them. The attitude was 
somehow a puzzle to Jane West, who had her own grave, 
cool way of taking first impressions, half shy and re- 
luctant, half eager welcome. 

Why, it is a boy, and he seems to be alone, exclaimed 
Mrs. Warner, and then she added, in a a doubtful voice, 
^^but it cannot be, of course. How could he come to this 
lonely island all alone 

We can soon discover how it is,^^ said the captain, help- 
ing them to scramble up the coral ledge, and proceeding 
himself a little in advance to meet the young stranger who 
came slowly down toward them. 


154 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


You have seen my signal/^ said Will Yarrel, in a voice 
slightly tremulous with agitation. ^^It was very kind in 
you to come, sir."^^ 

Yes, my lad, and I came out of my course to seek the 
signal. I hailed the Sea Foam in Table Bay, and Cap- 
tain Leyard sent me to look after you.^^ 

God bless him! Then they have had a safe voyage.'’^ 

So far at least as the Capes; of the rest one cannot say. 
Will you go on board the ship at once?'’^ 

What ship is it, and where bound 

^^The Eoyal Bess, for Liverpool.'’^ 

The brown eyes held a misty, troubled look as of per- 
plexed inward communing. A little inward sigh broke 
through the smile with which he replied: 

Thank you. I will go as soon as I have packed into my 
trunk a few mementoes of my peaceful sojourn here. I 
suppose I may take the trunk in the boat?^^ 

Certainly. But you will please corroborate the state- 
ment I shall make, that you were left over accidentally 
from a s^dp stopping for water. I will manage that the 
trunk shall be covered, so as not to draw attention.'’^ 

^^You have ladies with you,^^ and Will Yarrel turned 
toward them, with the look of one long buried in barbarism 
and coming unexpectedly upon signs of civilization. 

My wife; and a true, steady, intelligent creature, who 
is a shining light and an ornament of her sex, whether peo- 
ple know it or not,^^ answered the gallant captain; ^‘^and if 
the cabin of the Eoyal Bess isnT a sunny and happy place, 
it^s not their fault, you may be sure. Come and see them, 
my lad.-"^ 

And in a moment more Will was shaking hands with Mrs. 
Warner and Jane West. 

The constraint which had shown itself with the master 
of the Eoyal Bess dropped off before the ladies. 

Will Yarrel, smiling and almost gay, was presently doing 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


155 


the honors of the little cabin, and telling over the romantic 
attractions of his solitary kingdom. 

And you have enjoyed this long time of solitude — you 
were not afraid said Mrs. Warner, in profound amaze- 
ment and a little admiration. 

I was thoroughly frightened the first night, and thor- 
oughly cured also,^^ answered he, and though in all these 
days of solitude I have been often sad, filled with wild 
yearnings, I have never known such torturing fears as have 
assailed me in the Christian land toward which your ship is 
sailing.'’^ 

A wistful appeal for womanly sympathy glistened in the 
brown eyes which turned to Jane West. 

^^It is singular, he added, a moment after, ^^when your 
ship came in sight, instead of falling on my knees in grate- 
ful joy, I was seized with a great horror and shuddering, as 
if it were bringing me some woeful experience. 

And that was why you hesitated so, and waited for us 
to come up to you? If it had been me, I should have 
rushed down to the water's edge shouting in joy," said 
Mrs. Warner, smiling. ^^But it has passed now, has it 
not? Be sure the Eoyal Bess has only kindly treatment 
and a hospitable welcome for you." 

^^Yes," said Will Yarrel, answering Mrs. Warner, but 
looking at Jane West, ^‘^my alarm has passed. I feel sat- 
isfied now that I have found friends I may trust." 

Jane West had not been educated to be demonstrative, 
but she felt an answering thrill at her heart, and pondered 
over it. 

When they had explored the island, collected their curi- 
osities, and enjoyed a charming rest at the door-step of the 
vine-wrapped cabin, the party returned again to the ship, 
and Will Yarrel accompanied them. He stood a moment 
on the reef before he stepped into the boat, and the wistful 
brown eyes took a mute farewell of everything. And it was 


156 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE. 


noticed by them all that, after the ship was gained, he never 
once turned his face toward the island. 

The rest of the ship^s company, naturally enough, exam- 
ined the returning boat with keen interest, and every eye 
was fixed upon the slender figure which followed the ladies 
up the gangway. 

Will Yarrel did not reciprocate their interest. After the 
first careless glance he lowered his eyes and followed the 
ladies into the cabin. He was- not aware, then, of the 
swarthy face, ivith the basilisk eyes, which looked over to 
him from the owner^s careless station by the mainmast. 
He did not see those eyes dilate suddenly with incredulous 
astonishment, darken with perplexity, and at last break 
into a glimmer of cunning, triumphant satisfaction. 

The elderly passenger did not make his appearance at all 
that day. He kept his little state-room in the forward 
quarters all day, with a severe headache, he told the stew- 
ard's boy, wlio came in with his food. 

Nothing was thought of it. He had not hitherto been at 
all social, and indeed had no occasion to be seen at all in 
the after cabin. If any one had taken interest enough to 
notice, they might perhaps have wondered at his absence 
from the deck, which had been his constant resort. 

No one did, however, and they had been a week at sea 
from the island before Will Yarrel became aware of his 
presence on board. And then it was the result of an ac- 
cident. 

Mrs. Warner had gone on deck to take the sun, with her 
husband, which was a favorite recreation of hers, one noon- 
day, and Jane West and Will Yarrel were alone in the cabin, 
sitting at the table, on which the chart was spread open, 
ready for the captain to come down and mark out the 
course. 

Will had been following the zizzag lines meditatively, 
and then looking forward, he had found the English chan- 


0CTAVIA8 PRIDK 


157 


nel^ and there the slender forefinger had stopped, and the 
winsome young face gloomed over with melancholy, and a 
heavy, heavy sigh proclaimed the inward disquiet which 
was so sore a burden to that youthful breast. 

Jane West, with those grave, calm eyes of hers, had read 
more deeply than the others. 

Will, said she, almost believe you dread reaching 
England as much as I do.^^ 

^^As you! I never suspected you were afraid of the 
arrival, answered he. 

^‘^E’ot afraid,’^ she returned; ^^but I dread to have it 
come. I shall be sorry to lose this pleasant family life and 
to drift out alone upon the world, as seems to be my fate. 
Besides, I have an exceedingly unpleasant duty waiting for 
me there. 

Will Yarrel caught at one word. 

Alone said he. Are you also alone in the world 
Quite alone; unless I am able to make new friends.'’^ 

I should never have thought it; you seem so cheerful, 
and strong, and self-reliant.'’^ 

And here the youth sighed again. 

Jane leaned forward, her eyes shining, a rich color flush- 
ing the grave face into positive beauty. 

Child, said she, something draws me to you. There 
is one secret of yours that I have already guessed. Do not 
start, nor blush. It is sacred with me, and I need no 
assurance from you that cruel circumstances pressed you to 
it. Let me tell you my story; and then, if you choose — 
only if you choose, dear child — show me all that is in your 
own heart. 

Will Yarrel concealed his face with his clasped hands, 
but the tears of mingled shame and grief stole through the 
slender fingers. 

In a low, grave voice, Jane related her history. She con- 


158 


OCTAVIAS^ PBIDE. 


cealed nothing except the nature of the sacred contents of 
the package she was carrying to England. 

You see, dear, that there is no friendly welcome waiting 
me, no home whose door will open cordially at my approach. 
But it does not disturb me much. I think I have more 
than an ordinary woman's bravery and energy, or else it is 
owing to the generous and careful education of the noblest 
man who has lived in these degenerate days. Some people 
have called me masculine, but down in my heart is the ever- 
living refutation of the falsehood. I yearn so much for a 
loving heart to answer to the friendship of mine. I am sure 
I should be as happy as it is possible for me to be if only I 
had a female friend to whom I would be sister, mother, pro- 
tector, as far as lies in my power. My poor child, show me 
that friend. Believe your heart of this unnatural burden. 
Tell me your sorrows, and where I cannot banish, let me 
share them.^^ 

Will Yarrel drew away his hands and fell down at her 
feet, burying the agitated face in her lap. 

Oh, you are so good and kind ! You have discovered 
my secret, and yet you do not overwhelm me with reproach. 
Take me, help me, keep me, and if a love such as a grateful 
heart like mine has power to give will satisfy you, be sure 
you shall have no cause of complaint. I will tell you all — 
everything. 

Jane threw her arms around the trembling figure, and 
kissed the broad, white forehead with a tender joy that was 
marvelous even to her, it seemed to have so pure and dear a 
meaning. 

It has its meaning, murmured she. am sure it 
has, and some time we shall see it, and understand why we 
came to that lonely island and found you here.^^ 

They sat, still fondling each other^s hands, now and then 
softly kissing each other, two desolate hearts made happy, 
as a barren waste revives beneath the blessed rain, or a 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


159 


dreary winter scene grows beautiful and warm beneath re- 
turning sunshine. 

Beyond them in the state-room^ outside the partition 
which divides the two cabins^ once or twice there was a 
rustle, but neither of the preoccupied talkers heeded it. 

Jane presently bent down and said, gently, as she k)oked 
into the brown eyes which were beaming loving joy and 
trust: 

And now you shall tell your story, and I will do my best 
'to help you. And I will show you the box which contains 
the precious legacy I am to carry to England. I keep it 
there on the shelf above my state-room door. And what am I 
to call you when I talk the foolish loving talk for which my 
tongue already aches 

What you please, dear friend; but I have a claim to 
that by which ;^u have known me. My true name is Wil- 
hemine,^^ answered Will Yarrel. 

Behind the partition, crouching close against the state- 
room side, was a greedy ear, a glittering, triumphant eye. 
The old man, with the white hair and basilisk eye, rubbed 
his hands gleefully, and said to himself: 

Ho! ho! Fate, that has thrown me so often, sets me again 
upon my feet. I have found the fair Wilhemine, and I will 
learn what the last bequest of Arthur Morley to a certain 
noble English lady may contain.*^ 

^^Ho! hoP repeated Mathew Merle. 


CHAPTEK XVII. 

TKAPPED. 

Maurice Middleton had kept his word to his father, and 
was searching over the great town to find some glimpse or 
trace of Mathew Merle. 


160 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDR 


Hitherto unsuccessful, he had not much hopefulness as 
he sauntered down one morning early toward the Waterloo 
dock, of Liverpool. 

A ship was just entering the dock; and, drawn by that 
dreamy sentiment which is too vague and romance-whisper- 
ing 4o be curiosity, he went down along the quay to the 
water^s edge, and watched to see, as everybody must who has 
the privilege, that delightful mystery, a ship coming hack 
from a foreign voyage, and first touching the home shore. 

There were the usual confusion and noise in settling mat- 
ters, and coming to a safe anchorage, and for a little 
time the hustle of hauling ropes and lowering sails, and 
running to and fro of jubilant sailors, concealed from him 
a group standing on the quarter-deck. But presently Mau- 
rice was able to make them out — even see the faces of the 
two ladies distinctly, and to remark the graceful figure of 
the lad who stood beside them, but kept his face toward the 
shore. 

Something in the expression of the wistful brown eyes 
touched Maurice, and roused the mighty spirit that is in 
every true man^s soul, whether it slumbers drowsily or keeps 
a vigilant and earnest watch. 

The lad is in trouble of some sort,^^ said he; he al- 
most seems afraid of the shore. I wonder what it is!^^ 

He was not long in doubt. The plank was put down 
from the gangway, and gave passage to the wharf. 

He who was evidently master of the vessel came first, 
and gave orders for a carriage to be hurried down to take 
the ladies to the town. The others followed, and stood 
waiting in a little group, not talking, as he fancied the 
newly arrived voyagers ought, joyously and gratefully, but 
in low and subdued voices. 

Maurice retreated a little, and leaned against a pile of 
coffee-bags, which bore with them a foreign scent stolen 
from tropic shores. 


JANE THREW HER ARMS AROUND THE TREMBLING FIGURE.— (P. 168 .) 







162 


OCT AVIA 8 PRIDE. 


^^And do you insist^ my dear Jane, that we part here? 
I am sorry, very sorry. I can^t tell you how much our 
voyage together, has done to attach me to you. I almost 
hoped you would he willing to stay with me. The very 
sailors will he sorry to lose their ^ doctor.^ CanT we secure 
you somehow as the property of the Eoyal Bess, and keep 
you for all her voyages, said the elderly lady, in tones loud 
enough to reach Maurice distinctly. 

The woman addressed, who ha^ a fresh, frank face, and 
grave, steady eyes, answered promptly: 

Indeed, indeed, Mrs. Warner, that would be a very 
tempting fate. But my duty lies in another way. I told 
you before there was no idler^s life waiting for me when I 
reached England. You know I have taken Will under my 
wing, besides, and I must set him a good example. No, 
much as we should enjoy being in your company, I think 
it wiser for us to set at once upon our own business, and 
use ourselves to depend upon our own resources. Besides, 
there is the errand which brought me to England, instead 
of sending me to America. I do not feel right to delay it 
an hour. I mean to have the carriage take me promptly 
to the London train, and Will has decided to go with me. 
But, if you please, do not state the fact to any one of the 
ehip^s company. Let them think we accompany you.^^ 

The lad, who had been casting furtive glances toward the 
ship, pulled nervously at the speaker's sleeve. He was 
standing nearer to Maurice than the others, and the latter 
therefore heard his low ejaculation: 

Oh, Jane, let us get away while he is on board. DonT 
wait for a carriage to come here. Let us go and find one.""^ 

Hush, Will ! Your terror is absurd. Why will he 
care to follow us, when he has not discovered your 
identity 

Oh, Jane, donT trust to that. He gave me a look as I 
came across the plank, and I read there in his terrible eye 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


163 


that he knew me. He has only pretended ignorance. He 
is waiting to get me ashore^ and away from my friends^ and 
then he will seize me. Oh_, let us go!^^ 

But we cannot carry your trunks, child. There, the 
carriage is coming. It is easier than I thought. He is on 
board packing his bundles, and we shall be away, and out of 
sight before he comes to the wharf. You must keep up 
courage. Will ; or how shall we get along with all that is 
before us?^^ 

It is only when he is near that I am afraid. Oh, I am 
only afraid of him!^^ 

Well, well, poor child, we shall soon escape him. Only 
see what a Babel it is up yonder. He could no more find 
us than a straw in a whirlpool when once we drift into that 
moving mass. We must secure our luggage, and then we 
will hie away.^^ 

The captain had been again to the ship, and he appeared 
now, followed by two sailors carrying a heavy trunk, which 
was transferred to the carriage, and the sailors returned for 
the rest of the luggage. A second carriage came lumbering 
down, and quite a crowd of idle gazers, as well as the regular 
gang of stevedores, filled up the way. 

But Maurice perceived that those wistful brown eyes of 
the handsome lad kept close watch of the ship, and presently 
he was sure they had discovered the object of their terror, 
for a wild look of fright swept across the youthful face, and 
he grasped desperately at the woman^s arm. 

Oh, Jane, there he is! He is coming ashore now.” 

Hush, Will! You must not be so frightened. Get. 
into the carriage, and draw the curtain over the window. 
There will be some delay yet. If I think he is watching, 
or following, I will consent to get out, and we will hide in 
the crowd up above there. But I do not believe he has the 
slightest suspicion.” 

The lad reluctantly obeyed her suggestion. He entered 


164 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


the coach which had last arrived, and pulled down the cur- 
tain. 

, Maurice Middleton was now thoroughtly interested, and 
he kept close watch, from his screen of coffee-bags, both of 
the coach and the ship. 

He was not aware, however, of all the significance of 
these little incidents until he saw a slouching figure, with a 
rusty black cloak thrown over his shoulders, and a soft felt 
hat thrust down until it almost covered his ears, carrying a 
small bundle tied up in a red silk handkerchief, step over 
the stern of the ship, and swinging himself down by a dang- 
ling rope, come up to the quay, at some distance from the 
gangway plank. He plunged directly into the crowd of 
stevedores, and was lost to view. But by and by he came 
again in sight, and this time Maurice was certain he was 
holding ^ome sort of communication by means of a kind of 
hand telegraphing with the driver of the first coach, out of 
range of the passengers^ observation. He tried to see his 
face distinctly, but failed. 

In a few moments more the captain took leave of the 
ladies, shook hands warmly with the lad, and returned to 
his ship, while the two coaches drove off. 

Maurice, curiously impelled to see the last of the affair, 
followed at a quick pace. At the street entrance to the 
dock the driver of the second coach halted a moment, and 
in that brief time the man in the rusty coat came forth 
from a retreat amid bales and boxes, keeping so far in front 
as almost to endanger himself from the heels of the horses. 
The driver lent him a helping hand, and he was pulled up 
‘to the coachman^s box, where he settled himself comfort- 
ably, drawing his old cloak still higher, and dropping his 
head upon his breast, so his face was scarcely discernible. 

^^He means mischief,'’^ thought Maurice. ^‘1 wonder 
what I can do to let the boy know he is here.'’^ 

And he quickened his pace, and did his best to keep the 


OCTAVIAS PEIBE, 


165 


coach in sight, and managed indeed to follow its track, 
although he came near losing it, and following the wrong 
one when the coaches separated. 

At length, however, flushed and panting, Maurice entered 
the great building where passengers take the train for Lon- 
don, and saw the grave-eyed, yet pleasant-faced lady, and 
the melancholy and handsome youth purchasing their tickets 
at the office. The coachman was looking after the luggage, 
but nothing could be seen of the man in the dingy cloak. 

Eather doubtful of the value of the information, but 
somehow resolute to give it, Maurice walked up to the boy, 
and said respectfully and kindly: 

My lad, I saw you land from the ship down below, and 
overheard a little of your conversation, and I gathered that 
you were afraid of some one following you.'’^ 

The brown eyes widened, deepened until the brown iris 
was nearly black. The breathing was shortened by a 
little gasping sob, and the boy stretched out his hands 
toward the lady. 

Oh, Jane 

Please be quiet, and try to look unconcerned. I have 
not told you what I wish to say, and the man I dare say 
is watching us. There was a man muffled up in a faded 
cloak, with a cap on his head, who got off the ship, and 
seemed to be hiding from you. Your coach took him up 
by the side of the driver Just as you left the dock entrance, 
and he was on the coach when it stopped here. That is 
all I have to say. I do not know whether the information 
is of consequence or not, but I ran all the way from the 
dock to tell you.^^ 

You are kind, very kind. Oh, Jane, do you hear what 
he says? We are tracked; we are followed. He is here 
somewhere. 

The lady he called Jane turned quickly. 

You must be less excitable. Will. If he is really here. 


166 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDK 


there is the more need of caution. How do you know it 
is he?^^ 

Maurice was here obliged to repeat what he had already 
told. 

Go and sit down^ Will/^ said the lady, in a tone of 
gentle authority. Sit down there in the ladies^ waiting- 
room, and I will go myself and look the place over, to be 
certain if the man on the coach box was he.'’^ 

I cannot bear to trust myself an inch away from 
you, dear Jane,'’^ faltered the lad. ^‘^What if he should 
come?^^ 

shall not leave the building. 

And in her prompt, resolute, collected fashion, Jane 
West walked around the building along the promenade, 
peering sharply into every nook, and closely scanning the 
face of every man she met. Sharp-eyed as she was, she 
did not know that a keen ear caught every word of her last 
speech, and the great door of the luggage room, half 
opened, as it had been carelessly left, concealed the man 
in the old cloak, who slipped out the rear door upon the 
street, and spoke a sharp sentence into the coachman^s 
ear, while he thrust a sovereign into his hand. Jane was 
thorough usually in whatever task she undertook. Find- 
ing no trace of the object she sought, she crossed down 
and went around out of their sight on the other side of 
the building. 

The boy stood in the door-way of the ladies^ waiting- 
room, trying to look calm and collected, and Maurice 
waited a little without, half vexed with himself for having 
meddled at all with the matter. 

While the lady was still absent, the coachman who had 
brought them came hastily across the building from the 
direction where she had disappeared. 

The lady says you are to come as quick as possible to my 
coach, and let me drive you to a place where she will meet 




OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 167 

you. She could not come herself^ because she was afraid 
to be seen by the person who is following you. Them be 
her words^ master. She will take another train for London. 
And she said you was to lose no time.'’^ 

I will come — oh, yes, I will come,'’^ exclaimed the lad, 
his whole face blanching, and he almost ran to the coach. 

Maurice had heard the whole, and, like the lad, doubted 
nothing of the truth of the message. He followed to take 
the last look of a face which somehow had taken a strong 
hold upon his fancy. The door was closed, and the coach 
whirled away, driven at a clattering pace. Turning, 
Maurice confronted Jane West. 

Where is AYill? What has become of Wilir de- 
manded she, a swift terror spreading across her steady coun- 
tenance. 

Good heavens, madam, did you not send for him? He 
has gone in the coach. The driver said you sent for him.^^ 
She flung up her hands in a passionate gesture. 

The poor child was right. Mathew Merle has found 
him out. What shall I do? What shall I do?^^ 

Mathew Merle ejaculated Maurice, the blood leaping 
suddenly through his veins with an electric thrill. Do 
you mean that the man in the cloak was Mathew Merle ?^^ 
The man on board the ship — ^the only one poor Will 
dreaded — was named Mathew Merle, answered she. Do 
you know him?^^ 

Tell me what he was like.^^ 

strange, uncanny face, dark, withered, wrinkled, 
with wild eyes, black as the blackest thing you can imagine, 
and wicked looking, and long white locks, bleached to the 
silverest gray.'’^ 

By heavens, it was the man himself \” exclaimed Mau- 
rice, striking his hands together angrily To think he 
should be so near, and I have lost him. Ah^ if I had seen 


168 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


through the disguise and got my hands on him^ you should 
have gone unmolested/^ 

^^He must be a wicked creature; and poor Will is in his 
power. Sir, you have already been very kind. You have 
interested yourself for us. Oh, tell me what I shall do 
to find poor Will 

Best assured that I will do all that I can. The case is 
my own now. I have been hunting for that man for 
months. How came he on your ship?^'’ 

He Avas wrecked, and taken from a deserted island in 
the midst of the ocean. 

Felix was right, then. I never believed a word of the 
story before, murmured Maurice. 

Our ship took him at Cape Town. It was so mys- 
terious that he and W^ill should have met on the Eoyal 
Bess. Oh, that dear, timid child ! to think that those 
foreboding fears were prophetic! What shall I do to find 
poor Wilir 

I will do my best. I will take the first carriage I can 
find and drive- swiftly; though, amid all these turns, who 
can judge of the route 

And I — what shall I do?^^ 

^^Eemain here until you learn of my success. I must 
not delay another moment. Take this card with my ad- 
dress. 

He left her without Avaiting for her address, hailed the 
first coach he saw, and went at a swift pace down the street 
on the track of the vehicle which had borne away the hand- 
some boy and the missing witness. 

They went two squares at a headlong pace, and then the 
coachman pulled up in obedience to a hasty signal from his 
passenger, who, however, did not wait to give him any ex- 
planation, but pushed open the door and plunged into the 
crowd gathered in the magnetic fashion of great cities with 
the first show of any unusual excitement. 


OOTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


169 


A coach stood with open door as far ahead as they could 
see^ and down a cross street a hoy was flying along, while a 
man in a faded flapping cloak, his cap gone, and the gray 
locks streaming in the wind, was hurrying after. 

Maurice considered a moment, and then dashed ahead 
down a second street, which he knew must intersect the 
other, and waited at the corner. As the flying flgure ap- 
peared he stepped forward, and in spite of the lad^s shriek 
of dismay, caught him in his arms and rushed into an 
apothecary^s store. 

What is it; any one hurt?^^ asked the chemist. 

He had no answer, for Maurice, looking around hastily, 
discovered a rear door, and hurried through it into a nar- 
row lane. 

The lad lay stirless in his arms — he had fainted. 

Here’s a position for me,” muttered Maurice, panting 
for breath, as he heard the hue and cry being raised in the 
street beyond. 

A bright thought came to him. An old school-fellow of 
his, lately married, lived in this vicinity, and he had called 
upon him the day previous. The rear of his house must 
have its gate-way in this very lane. He looked about anx- 
iously and found the little brass plate hearing his name. 
Never was there a more welcome sight. He pushed open 
the gate and entered, bolting it behind him and running 
across the yard, shoved up the basement window, and leaped 
in. 

The servant, sitting at table taking her lunch, leaped 
upon her feet and screamed lustily. 

Be still, simpleton,” said Maurice, authoritatively. 

Don’t you know me? I was here yesterday, and dined 
with your master. Where is Mrs. Grey? I must see her at 
once.” 

Her scream brought all in the house upon the scene, so 
there was no need for the girl to call her mistress. 




170 OGTAVIAS PBIDK 

^^Why, Mr. Middleton!^^ ejaculated the pale little mis- 
tress. 

I beg your pardon^ Mrs. Grey. The circumstances are 
peculiar. Will you allow me to come up stairs to a private 
room, and pray, good people, if any one comes donT let them 
know this poor lad is here.^^ 

What a beautiful face!^^ exclaimed Mrs. Grey, reassured, 
and prompt to respond to the call for her sympathy. Bring 
him up to my room and I will see what I can do. You do 
not think him dead?^^ 

Heaven forbid! It is only a fright. I am so thankful 
to have saved him. He was being carried off against his 
will, and must have leaped from the coach. Tell him he is 
safe, and do all you can for him. I must hurry down to 
the London station to bring his friend here. Besides I had 
better show myself in the street. I am positive no one saw 
where I came.^^ 

He gave her no time to demur, but hurried to the front 
entrance and out upon the crowded thoroughfare. He 
searched the station over, but the lady was not to be seen. 
After a useless search for her, not daring .to leave any ad- 
dress with the employees there to guide her, he returned to 
his friend's house and his self-imposed charge. 

The lady of the house met him with sparkling eyes and 
flushed cheeks, and a rather haughty toss of the head. 

^^Is he better?" exclaimed Maurice. ^^Has he recov- 
ered?" 

Quite recovered.^" answered the lady, dryly. ^^Keally 
I must say, Mr. Middleton, this is very extraordinary con- 
duct." 

I know it is, but how could I help it? When I tell you 
the story, you will not wonder I did what I could to save 
the poor boy." 

^‘^Boy!" repeated Mrs. Grey, with increasing acrimony of 


OCT AVI A 8 PRIDE. 


171 


tone. Neither of you are able to deceive me. I have 
sent for my husband. Boy indeed 

Maurice stared at her in amazement. 

^^Why, Mrs. Grey, what do you mean? How have I 
offended you ? What can you mean 

I mean that your boy is a young and very beautiful girl, 
Mr. Middleton, and really you must take her away from 
here.^^ 

^^Good heavensf^ ejaculated Maurice, and went hastily 
into the room toward which the lady flung out an indignant 
hand. 

The handsome, melancholy Will sat ^ there, with both 
slender hands clasped over the scarlet face, the tears drip- 
ping down the cheeks. 

^"Oh, sir! Was it you who saved me? Where is Jane? 
Oh, take me to Jane! Take me somewhere, I beg of you!^^ 

He knew now that Mrs. Grey was right. Perhaps he un- 
derstood better the chivalrous longing to save and help, 
which the brown eyes had flrst awakened. But Will Yarrel 
never guessed a word* of it, from his quiet, respectful man- 
ner. 

^‘1 told you I would take care of you. You shall go from 
here as soon as possible, he said. 

Will Yarrel looked a moment steadfastly and searchingly 
into his face, then held out his hand, with a smile that was 
more pathetic than many another's passion of tears. 

Thank you, sir. I know I can trust you. Heaven is 
kind, and raises up friends for me according to my need.^^ 


CHAPTER XVIIL 
^^lostP 

A post-chaise drove leisurely into the broad avenue of 
Chichester Rookery, one pleasant afternoon, and the gay 


172 


0CTAVIA8 PRIDE. 


group of noble visitors gathered there^ partly from the mo- 
ment's lack of diversion, and partly from innate curiosity, 
gathered at the broad windows, to watch the arrival dis- 
mount. 

It is a lady!" exclaimed Octavia Wainwright, in accents 
of surprise. 

wonder who it can be?" added the countess, knitting 
her fair forehead a little. I am positive no one is expected 
who would come in that style. What is she like?" 

^^Sonie tradeswoman or milliner come to solicit your 
patronage. She has that sort of air," contributed Lord 
Eonald. 

^^It is a good, steady face, but her dress has hadly an 
English look. 1 think you are right, Konald. She is a 
business woman of some sort." 

A visitor to some of the servants," suggested another. 

The earl burst into a laugh. 

Come," said he, ^^here is a chance for a general excite- 
ment. We shall soon be able to learn the object of the wo- 
man's visit. She is already summoning the porter. Let us 
have a wager all around, and every one guess at the object 
of her coming, and her calling. The one who wins shall 
have the privilege of arranging the details of our next excur- 
sion, and every one of us shall be compelled to obey his or 
her behests for the day." 

There followed a general laughing approval of the plan, 
and many merry jests. 

Who said she was a milliner?" 

I," said Lord Eonald. Ten to one I am correct. 
That woman has been used to managing her own affairs 
shrewdly, you may be sure." 

‘‘I think she is some strong-minded champion of some- 
body or other's injured rights, and has come for the earl's 
help and signature," said Octavia, shrugging her shoul- 
ders. 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDR 


173 


To be sure, that might be. What do you say. Lady 
Mary?^^ asked the countess, turning to her sister-in^aw, 
who was paying her daily visit to the drawing-room, and 
whose easy-chair had been drawn up to the bay-window, so 
that she obtained a good view of the woman^’s face as she 
ascended the steps. 

I don^t know, indeed, but somehow I fancy she has 
come to see some of the servants; the housekeeper, prob- 
ably, for she looked like a person of refinement. And I 
think she brings with her bad news, for did none of you 
see how she stopped to shudder as she reached the steps? 
and her face looked up to me set and stern. . 

Nobody but you would have thought up such a pathetic 
bit of romance, said Lord Eonald, smiling upon his 
mother with that tenderness of expression so becoming to 
him. But now for the rest of the wise guesses. Come, 
fair ladies and shrewd gentlemen, make known your 
decree.'’^ 

He took out his gold pencil-case and ivory tablet, and 
wrote down the names, and against each the guess its owner 
had made. He was reading them over, amid a little uproar 
of laughter, when a servant entered. 

A lady in the reception-room to see her ladyship. Lady 
Mary Falkner.*^^ 

Another burst of merriment greeted the announcement. 

Oh, Lady Mary, now you can tell us exactly! Pray do 
not grant her too long an audience; we shall be so im- 
patient.^^ 

^^Did she send no name or card?^^ asked Lady Mary. 

am positive I never saw that face before. 

Not at all, your ladyship, but she bade me say she had 
followed you from your residence in town, and was very 
anxious to see you a few moments on business of im- 
portance.^^ 

I have lost myself, evidently, said her ladyship, rising 


174 


OCT AVIA s phide. 


with a listless smile. ^^It must be a tradeswoman of some 
sort.^^ 

^^Don^t delay your return called merry voices after 
her. 

The smile with which she had left the drawing-room was 
still on her face, as Lady Mary entered the reception- 
room. 

A plainly dressed, grave-eyed, and just now marbly pale 
woman stood in the center of the room waiting for her. 
They were a contrast, striking and suggestive, had any one 
been there to have seen them, those two. Lady Mary, so 
fair, and delicate, and frail, in her dainty garments, her 
gemmed hands, her noble looks of acristocratic delicacy 
and helplessness, and Jane West, still, grave, quiet, but 
with a world of energy, and strength, and resolution on the 
grave lips, the calm eyes, the firm hands. 

Struck somehow by the deep passion held down reso- 
lutely, which her face and attitude bespoke. Lady Mary 
bowed courteously, and said, gently waving her thin, white 
hand toward a chair. 

Be seated, please. You asked to see me. I am Lady 
. Mary Falkner.""^ 

Thank you, I do not care to sit,^^ answered Jane, not 
saying what she thought — that no power should compel her 
to sit in friendliness by the side of the woman who had 
terribly wronged her dead master. I came to you in con- 
sequence of Doctor Morley^s request. I have just arrived 
from Australia. I have brought to you a packet he kept 
sacredly and left to my charge. 

^^Oh! ohV’ gasped the noble lady, dropping into a chair, 
white as a ghost and shivering from head to foot. 

Jane had no pity for her. On the contrary, her heart 
was full of deadly anger and fierce indignation. This 
woman — this woman in her French silks, with her dia- 
monds and daintiness — oh, what a piercing thorn had her 


OGTAVIAS PRIDK 


175 


soft hands pressed against the noblest heart that ever beat 
in a man^s bosom ! What a slow torture had she given out 
to that heroic, devoted soul ! But for her — but for her — 
what rich joy and blessing might have blossomed in Janets 
own life! Pity her? No! Jane, so tender hitherto to the 
pangs of the humblest creature, stood there relentless and 
hard as iron. 

Doctor Morley is dead. Perhaps you know it. I lived 
with him many years. I did what I could to assuage the 
grief and sorrow of the noblest man who has lived in these 
degenerate days. But he is dead now, and his trials 
ended. 

The lady was still gasping and trembling. She looked 
longingly toward the silver tray standing on the little table 
with glasses and ice pitcher. 

It was a hard thing for Jane to do, but when her physi- 
cian^s eye saw that her noble companion was suffering 
severely and nearly fainting, she poured out a glass of 
water and carried it to her, and held it while the ghastly 
lips swallowed it greedily. 

‘‘1 shall be better in a few moments. If you will be 
good enough to help me, I should like to hear the rest in 
my own room.^^ 

After a moment^s hesitation, Jane gave her the help of 
her strong arm, and thus together they mounted the great 
staircase and entered the luxurious apartment fitted up for 
her sitting-room. The dressing-maid, busy there dusting 
out a jewel casket, looked up in surprise. 

Leave the room, Madge; this is a friend of mine come 
for a confidential talk with me.^^ 

The girl went, leaving the toilet-table littered with 
jewels. 

Jane put her into the easy-chair, and stood up before 
her. 


176 


OCT AVI AS PRIDE, 


Sit down, dear child; sit down close beside me and tell 
the whole/^ said Lady Mary. 

Janets lip curled, and she remained bolt upright. 

Madam, said she, ^‘^it is best you should not take a 
wrong impression. You said I was a friend of yours. I 
ask you how that can be, when I am Doctor Morley^s 
friend, and know the whole story of his life? While I re- 
main to discharge my duty to him I shall be able to 
stand. 

So harsh and angry moaned the lady, and then she 
wrung her hands. But I deserve it — more and worse. 
But do not think I have been unpunished. The long 
agony of a life like mine is beyond telling, or I would show 
it to you. And I loved him — from first to last I have 
loved him.^^ 

Janets face now was superb in its scorn. 

^''You loved himP said she, fiercely; ^^and you did him 
the deadliest wrong one human soul can work another — for 
such things as these you turned away from the priceless 
jewel of his love.^^ 

She fiung out her strong, work-hardened hands toward 
the gems, blazing in diamond, and ruby, and emerald, 
glimmering on the table, with a look of supreme con- 
tempt. 

It was Lady Mary^s turn to grow indignant. She started 
up with blazing eyes, her delicate form for once haughty 
and self-reliant. 

Be still cried she. What do you know about such 
things? I tell you if this room had been piled fromfioorto 
ceiling with diamonds more valuable than any Indian 
princess ever saw, they could not have won from him one 
look or thought of mine. But there were infiuences which 
could not be put aside; there were more precious things at 
stake — honor, name, position, life itself. What was I to do? 
Torn this way, and yearning with all my soul in another — 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


177 


confronted with the direst possibilities — what wonder that 
my eyes were blinded? Alack, alack! I meant to do the 
best thing. I cajoled myself as well as deceived him. Let it 
pass. Why must I be stretched continually on this ag- 
onizing rack? Woman, tell me your errand and go!^^ 

It is soon done,'’^ answered Jane West. Doctor Morley 
was my friend as well as master. He trusted me with a 
great deal, although he held back the secret which eat 
into his life like a burning coal. He showed me a box one 
day.^^ 

She paused a moment, for her throat was dry, and some- 
thing very like a sob broke in upon the steadiness of her 
voice. 

Lady Falkner was looking at her wistfully, forgetting her 
words in the ideas they suggested. 

You lived with him!^^ said she, eagerly. Oh, happy 
woman! You saw him every day. He received little at- 
tentions of yours, no doubt. 

He did,^^ replied Jane, with one of her rare smiles. I 
devoted my time and heart to his service. Heaven be praised 
that I know I succeeded in soothing away a little of his 
dreariness and pain. His diary will show you that he was 
good enough to stoop so much as to cherish a kindly regard for 
a poor girl like me. That remembrance is what I live upon. 
It is in his service that I have braved all the dangers that lie 
between Australia and this cold land of yours. It is a crown 
more honorable and precious in my sight than your jeweled 
coronet, which I place upon my own forehead when I call 
myself Doctor Morley^s friend. Look you, your ladyship, 
it will be more enduring than any of your proud distinction 
up there above. 

I know it, said Lady Falkner, in a low, bitter tone. 
^^From the depths of my heart I envy you. If you like, I 
will humble my unworthy forehead to touch the hem of your 
stainless garment.'’^ 


178 


OOTAVIAB PBIDS, 


Jane West drew back with a shudder^ and drew out from 
under her shawl a small Indian box. 

Doctor Morley once showed me this box in the secret 
drawer of his secretaire. He said when he was gone I was 
to take it in charge, and deliver it myself to the address. I 
have been at much pains and some peril to fulfill the re- 
quest, but it is here at last. Take it, madam, and oh! if 
your conscience is really racked as you declare, confess be- 
fore Heaven the terrible wrong you have done to that sainted 
man. It is the diary of his life since you parted with him 
that night of the sailing of the Australian packet. It may 
explain to you still more thoroughly his self-abnegation and 
devotion. He returns to you also a packet of papers which 
he held all the time; a mass of proof which he had only to 
show to the world, and his own fair name would have shown 
out more brightly still, and the guilt of another been estab- 
lished beyond the whispering of a doubt. And this over- 
whelming proof has lain there, in that secret drawer in 
Sydney, all these years, and Doctor Morley, with the iron 
cutting into his soul, has borne and kept silence. 

Lady Mary started up, her eyes glittering with wild 
alarm. 

You knew it all, all?^^ she cried; ^^you, a stranger 

Be at peace, said Jane, almost contemptuously. I am 
Doctor Morley^s friend; because he wished it, not to save 
you, I also bury this thing forever. But it is hard, bitter 
hard,^^ she murmured, in a deeper tone. When I think 
of the life you blighted; when I remember what might have 
been, even in the latter days, but for you, I am tempted to 
forget I have been taught a Christian spirit; I long to spurn 
and curse you.^^ 

There is no need,^^ said Lady Falkner, in a hollow voice. 
^^I am already cursed. Here and here!^^ 

And she laid her thin hands, one upon her forehead and 


OCT AVIA'S PRIDE, 


179 


the other against her palpitating hearty and looked so 
wretched^ so utterly miserable^ that J ane was touched. 

In a moment more she held out her hands. 

Give it to me. It will be very precious, though it may 
sting me with remorse; and try to have a little pity for one 
who was driven by a dire extremity and a timid disposition 
to be a partner in this monstrous wrong. The proofs you 
say are here, and the diary. 

^^They are. I read them all through, and relocked the 
box, and have never opened it since. There is the key.""^ 

She pushed away the jewels with a scornful hand, and set 
the box upon the table, and herself thrust in the key, turned 
it, and swung back the lid. 

Lady Falkner watched her like one fascinated. Which 
face of the pair was the paler one could not say. 

But suddenly J ane^s face grew almost purple. She stag- 
gered back with a great cry, and wrung her hands. 

The box was empty. 

I have come all this weary way only to lose the treasure 
Doctor Morley gave to my care,^^ said she, with a hollow 
gi’oan. 

^^Lostr^ shrieked Lady Falkner. You do not, cannot 
mean that any one else has those proofs 

Heaven only knows answered Jane, covering her face, 
and trying, through the wild rush of thoughts, to find a 
solution of the mystery. 

She started forward at last. 

Ah! I have the truth now. Mathew Merle, the cunning 
villain! Poor Will declared always that he heard our mu- 
tual confessions. He has stolen the contents of that box. 
But I will find him; I will find him. Oh, Doctor Morley, 
to think I should have bungled so in this errand of yours !^^ 

And without a look toward the half -fainting lady, J ane 
turned, hurried out of the room, found her way to the outer 


180 


OGTAVIAS PBIDR 


entrance^ and^ springing into the chaise^ was driven swiftly 
away. 

The guests in the drawing-room merrily dispatched the 
countess to learn the success of the wager. 

That lady found her sister-in-law lying on the floor as cold 
and white and rigid as a corpse. 


CHAPTEE XIX. 

THE MISSIKG WITIifESS. 

After Maurice Middleton left her^ Jane West waited at the 
station in a state of uncontrollable excitement^ despite her 
calm temperament. The moments dragged as slowly as 
hours^ and seemed presently each one to increase her alarm 
and deepen her agitation. She had taken a seat at the 
door of the ladies^ retiring-room, and from thence kept 
watch with feverish eyes of everything that passed within 
the building. 

She knew the moment Mathew Merle crossed the thres- 
hold of the great door-way, and she confronted him the 
next instant with her indignant countenance. 

Sir,^'’ said she, do you atone in this way for the mercy 
of Heaven, which saved you from so many dangers? How 
dare you be guilty of this great wickedness? Where is Will 
Yarrel?'’^ 

That is what I have come to ask,^^ answered he, his 
eyes burning as angrily as her own. 

^^Do you deny that your false message enticed him away 
from this place? You may as well drop your mask now. I 
know you thoroughly — who you are, and how you have pre- 
tended ignorance of poor WilFs identity, returned Jane. 

His thin lip curled with a savage smile. 

You are right. It is idle to wear a mask now. Young 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


181 


woman, I have no particular enmity to you, if you leave 
alone meddling with what does not concern you. It was a 
very romantic plan, that of yours, and your master. Will 
Yarrel; but I happen to have an older claim, and I warn 
you I shall enforce it. Leave that foolish child alone, and 
go your own way, if you know what is best, madam. ^ 

I will not. If I can only find Will again, I will do my 
best to be a friend and protector. I will appeal to the law. 
What right have you to persecute her so?^ was Janets in- 
dignant response. 

You will find that the law recognizes a guardian^s claim. 
I can bring the law upon you if you hinder my taking her in 
charge. I am legally appointed her guardian. I am her 
uncle besides, and it is to me that she owes her livelihood; 
for the pittance left to her melted away long ago, continued 
he coldly. And now I say let her come out of her hiding- 
place, and put away her masquerading boy^s garments, and 
be contented with the worthy lot which lies before her. 
Where is she?” 

^^Do you think to impose upon me so? You know that 
you have enticed poor Will away from me. You carried the 
dear child away in that coach. Why do you ask me to find 
her?” was Janets warm retort. 

Mathew Merle searched over the frank, honest face, and 
muttered, under his breath: 

^^By heaven, the girl is cunning beyond my thought! 
She has not come back at all.” 

^MVhat do you mean?” demanded Jane, breathlessly. 

The foolish simpleton opened the coach door somehow, 
jumped into the street, and ran into the crowd. I kept in 
sight two or three squares, and then all at once she disap- 
peared mysteriously. I was sure she would come back to 
you.” 

And again he looked suspiciously into Janets face. 


182 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


But her look of delighted surprise showed him plainly he 
had given her the first news of the escape. 

She may find her way to youyet/^ he added^ cunningly. 

It will be a good plan for me to keep my eye on you.'’^ 

Jane coolly looked over to the time-table. 

I can take the next train/'’ said she. My own businsss 
will not delay. 

And to herself she said, exultantly: 

That kind young gentleman has helped me. It is for- 
tunate he gave me an address. I will write a line, and get 
some one to post it, telling him where to send to me, and 
warning him that it is best for us to keep apart a little 
while.'’'’ 

Mathew Merle hung around until the train came, and 
watched her into her carriage, even waited until it whirled 
away, and then went sullenly and angrily back to town, to 
hear the report from the police set upon Will YarrelFs track, 
which, however, was meager enough. They had been look- 
ing over such places as the escaped lad would be likely to 
seek, and had found nothing. 

He asked, himself, cautiously, concerning all arrivals at 
the hotel where Captain Warner and his wife had taken 
rooms, and hung around until the captain came up from 
looking after the ship. But the careless cordiality of the 
latter’s manner showed him he had no knowledge either 
of his passengers’ relation to each other, or of the escape of 
Will from his uncle’s pursuit. And he was once again 
thrown back upon his chagrin and disappointment. 

At all events, there is another wire to pull,” he muttered, 
as he sat in the little room allotted to him by the landlord, 
and took up the bundle in the red silk handkerchief, 
which he had lugged around with him wherever he went. 
He unfastened the knots slowly, and took out a little bundle 
tied again in a handkerchief; a small package, what seemed 
a collection of yellow, time-stained letters, a miniature, and 


OCTAVIA^S PBIDE. 


183 


a book bound in red morocco, covered with a gold clasp. 
When he opened the latter, it shoAved, instead of printed 
matter, lines of close, fine writing, with dates above the 
paragraphs. 

It was Doctor Morley^’s diary. 

Mathew Merle chuckled as his hard fingers toyed with the 
fiuttering leaves. 

It was an odd thing this should fall into my hands. It 
is worth a snug little income, if I do not mistake. But it 
will not make up the loss of the other, ^^o, nothing but the 
other will make a fine gentleman of my George, and a gen- 
tleman he shall be! I will hunt down that ungrateful 
minx! She shall marry him; she shall marry my George !^^ 

The man^s face changed wonderfully as he repeated the 
name of his only son; so that one who had only seen its 
hard, fierce expression, or its low look of subtle cunning, 
could hardly have believed it the same countenance. 

The sharp, bright eyes seemed to dilate and overspread 
with a softening haze, the cruel lines of the mouth un- 
wrinkled as by a niagic power, and the warmth of the smile 
actually gave the whole face the very expression of tenderness 
which had hitherto seemed as foreign as the tropic glow of 
sunshine to the ice-bound poles. 

^^My boy — my own boy! He^s a boy any man Avould be 
proud oil” murmured Mathew Merle. ^^Fm doing all this 
for George, l^ot but he^s smart enough to make a way for 
himself; but I mean he shall have more than money. He 
shall go as a gentleman in places where his father was only 
a servant. Ha! ha! well see — wefil see!^^ 

He read a moment or two, and the old sneer came back. 

These grand people are no better than the common 
folkSj after all. CouldnT I make a sensation now in Lon- 
don by telling what I know? I am going to look at this 
Lady Mary Falkner. I will honor you by a call, my lady, 
you may be sure of that. But I must find the girl first/^ 


184 


OCTAVIA^S PHIDE. 


lie added^ glowering discontentedly around him. ^^It is 
passing strange how I have been interrupted, and what new 
affairs have pressed upon me. To think of that accursed 
voyage! I have to find out the coward who sent me upon 
it, and to pay him off in heavier measure than he antici- 
pates. And I must hurry up to London, to find what has 
been done with my letters all this time; for George has 
written; I know he has written. Perhaps he is ready to 
leave India, the affairs all settled. He may be on his way 
now. Oh, how I long to see the dear fellow! and to see 
him in the place he deserves! By this time he must have 
received my letter from Cape Town. I want his answer — 
how I want it! — and that girl! Then I think I could be 
contented to die.'’^ 

He was interrupted by a knock at the door, and going to 
it, found one of the waiters there, and behind him a young 
gentleman. 

A gentleman to see you, sir,^^ said the waiter, and was 
spared further explanation by the prompt coming forward 
of his companion. 

Good-day, Mr. Mathew Merle, said Maurice Middle- 
ton, quietly, although his pulse was leaping far beyond its 
usual steadiness. have a little business with you.^^ 

The old man did not recognize him. 

Come in, sir,^^ he said, with a little show of courtesy. 

You come from the police office with news, perhaps?^'’ 

He set out a chair, and closed the door upon the waiter. 

Maurice sat down, with a rising glow of exultation in his 
heart. 

The missing witness was found at last! 

said he, when Mathew Merle had settled himself 
into the chair on the other side of the table. I do not 
come just now from the police office, although I have car- 
ried a warrant in my pocket this long time for your arrest, 
and have been searching for you everywhere. 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


185 


warrant for my arrest repeated the man^ indig- 
nantly. ^^What does that mean? What is your ground of 
complaint 

Contempt of the rules of her majesty^s court of justice. 
You were summoned as a witness in the case of Middleton 
vs. Wainwright^ and you failed to appear/^ replied Maurice, 
still in the coolest possible tone. 

Mathew Merle leaped up from his chair, his sallow face 
flushed to purple, his eyes showing a red glow through their 
blackness. 

So, so! I think somebody else might be brought to the 
law on that account, he snarled fiercely. Whose fault 
was it, I pray you? Whose cursed plot took me away from 
England, and sent me, at the peril of my life, on a voyage 
which ended in shipwreck? Contempt of court, indeed 1^^ 
you mean to say you could not help your absence ?^^ 

Who are you, anyway, and what authority have you to 
meddle with the business? I seem to remember something 
about your face, and yet I cannot place it.^^ 

I am one of the Middletons, replied Maurice, unable 
to repress a growing uneasiness. 

Again the fiery sparks played over those strange eyes. 

^^One of the Middletons? Curse the name! But, no — 
you are not the tall, thin-faced, gray-eyed man I suspect to 
be the cause of my sudden leave. 

You mean Felix said Maurice, hastily. I saw you 
once or twice with my father.'’^ 

Felix! Felix! Yes, that was the name. Curse him! 
He is the man in the long cloak. Contempt of court, 
indeed!^'’ vociferated Mathew Merle, in an incoherent 
fashion. 

I do not understand your talk in the least. Possibly 
you are not to blame, but your absence left the Middletons 
in a v^ry uncomfortable position. The opposing lawy’er 
ventured to assert that we had a hand in your absence, be- 


186 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


cause you had some injurious testimony which might have 
been elicited by cross-questioning/^ 

Mathew Merle looked up into the speaker's face with a 
sardonic smile. 

^^It does look that, certainly. And that chap, jbhat 
Felix, was a shrewd one.^^ 

^^What do you mean?^^ exclaimed Maurice, angrily. 

I mean that I was drugged, and put on board a South 
American ship just as she was casting off the tug-boat, and 
my passage was paid by a man in a long cloak and slouched 
cap, and the man had gray eyes, and a hatchet face; and 
this Felix is such a man.^^ 

Maurice sat with his forehead on his hand, thinking back 
with all his power. 

Felix had warned him to leave the search alone. Felix 
had known about the presence of Mathew Merle on board 
the Lively Jane. Felix had bungled in his management of 
the case, and that witness whose testimony had been 
worthless had been of his getting up. It came upon 
him with startling conviction, and he did not say a word, 
but in his heart he echoed Mathew Merle^s exclamation: 

Felix is the man who sent off your witness! If you 
have any warrant to serve, take it to him!^^ 

The keen, black eyes were watching his face sharply. 

^^Well, sir,^^ said Mathew M^rle, sneeringly, ^^what is 
your opinion of the case?^^ 

I am exceedingly puzzled. I only know that all this is 
news to me. Will you be good enough to tell me over the 
circumstances? Even if it was a plot, it seems to me it was 
a very stupid one, for one might be sure you would find 
your way back.^^ 

^^If I bore the wear and tear of the voyage. I have 
guessed sometimes that there were hopes it would make an 
end of an old fellow like me. But it was reckoning wi^out 
due knowledge, he added, with a chuckle. 


OCTAVIAS PBIDE. 


187 


It is not much can be told. strangely enough^ have 
no power to recall my last consciousness; but^ as near as I 
can make it out, I went with a fellow who pretended to 
have been an old mate of mine in India, into a drinking 
saloon. Anyhow, the first I knew I was on the Lively Jane, 
well out to sea. The captain would only say that a man in 
a long cloak, and cap, with long whiskers 

Felix has no whiskers exclaimed Maurice, in a tone of 
relief. 

^^No; but it is mighty easy to step into a masquerade 
shop and get a pair,^^ was the dry response. 

But what good could it be?^^ was the perplexed question 
of Maurice. 

^^Well, that is a question now. Fve had plenty of time 
on the ocean o^ nights to think it over; and IVe made it 
out that he got me to state what he wanted before some 
witness — mind you, what he wanted, and no more — and 
then he wanted me out of the way.^^ 

^^But tvliy did he want you away? Do you not really 
know that we have a better claim to that property than the 
present possessor 

I do; thaFs certain, and it canT be rubbed out. YouVe 
a better right than General Wainwright, for your father is 
the legal heir of Gustavus Wainwright.'’^ 

Maurice looked up eagerly, but a shade of dissatisfaction 
dropped upon his face. 

That sphinx countenance of Mathew Merle hid some fur- 
ther knowledge behind; and yet what could it be? The 
young man racked his brain to imagine, and all in vain, 
and then he asked, coldly: 

^^Do I understand that you are willing to give your 
testimony to this effect, that our claim is correct and- 
right ?^^ 

Yes, I am willing, but you had best give Mr. Felix to 


188 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


understand that I am on the lookout for tamperings^ and 
have a score to settle yet with him/^ 

When and where can my father have a meeting with 
you? Shall you remain here?'’^ 

can^t say for certain, because I have a little business 
to look after. If it is settled, as I hope, before to-morrow, 
I shall go up to London at once.'’^ 

Maurice guessed very well the nature of that business, 
although the object of his fierce pursuit of the disguised 
lad was more than he could fathom. 

‘'"I suppose,^'’ said he, must be content with your 
promise to be in readiness to testify, although I confess I 
came here determined to compel you to accompany me 
to a lawyer^s and give the required information under 
oath.'’^ 

He smiled angrily, and then burst into a laugh. 

I am ready for you any time, but I prefer to treat with 
Mr. Felix. There is no danger of my failing you, nor of 
my disappearance this time.-^^ 

Then the suit will be brought up again, said Maurice, 
writing on his card. 

There is an address which will always find my father. 
Good-night, sir.-’^ 

Mathew Merle bowed him out, and then came back 
and stood at the table rubbing his hands gleefully, as he 
said: 

Much good will my testimony do for themP^ 


CHAPTEK XX. 

THERE IS MATHEW MERLE P 

Mr. Grey met Maurice Middleton at the hall door, when 
the latter returned that evening from his visit to Mathew 
Merle. Her husband^s arrival, and a calmer conversation 


0GTAVIA8 PBIDR 


189 


with Will Yarrel, had in a measure subdued Mrs. Grey^s 
virtuous indignation. But she was one of those narrow- 
minded devotees to the outward forms of propriety to whom 
any deviation is a positive crime. Her husband^s persua- 
sion had obtained her consent to poor WilFs presence in the 
house until the morning train for London, but she showed, 
by her cold and forbidding manner, what she called a 
righteous rebuke for the whole proceeding. Mr. Grey, on 
the contrary, was warmly interested. 

He met Maurice, as I have said, at the hall door, and 
seized him at once by the arm and drew him into the little 
anteroom, whispering softly, as if afraid a corps of detec- 
tives were at his heels: 

^^Look here, Middleton, things are growing warm. A 
policeman has been here this evening, inquiring if any one 
has seen a boy of this description. He says a woman in one 
of the upper stories saw a man carrying such a lad running 
down our lane. The apothecary likewise confirms the 
story, though, by good luck, he got your complexion wrong. 
He wanted to know what family I had, and I told him there 
was no one but my own, except some visitors, a Mr. and 
Mrs. Middleton. When I said that Mr. Middleton arrived 
in Liverpool several days ago, his curiosity concerning you 
ended. But theyfil be here again, and I dare say are on the 
watch now. Youfil never get that boy away without their 
knowing it. And Mrs. Grey is in a perfect panic lest he 
be taken here. How Vll tell you what you must do. She 
must take to her proper clothing, and you must have a 
coach here, and go off boldly as Mr. and Mrs. Middleton. 

^^But what will she think? And how can you tell her? 
I havenT allowed her to suspect I have seen through her 
disguise. 

^^It is no time for scruples of delicacy. Fll tell her so 
myself, if you say so. But you are the right one to do it.^^ 

^^WouldnT Mrs. Grey began Maurice, doubtfully. 


190 OCTAVIA^S PniDE. 

If you liave any consideration for the girFs feelings you 
won^t set Ellen to tell her. Good heavens, man! these 
women are so hard on each other! Tell her yourself. Shell, 
take it best from you, and youll find a way to do it gently. 
Ellen will give her the necessary clothing. 

^^If only I had found that Jane said Maurice, impa- 
tiently. 

Ellen declares it is all an imposture; that you will find 
yourself in some disgraceful, if not positively criminal 
affair. She says she knew you wouldnl find any Jane.'^^ 

would as soon doubt the worth of my own mother or 
sister, were they alive, cried Maurice, valiantly, ^^as doubt 
that sweet, innocent face. Yes, I will tell her myself. 

And he put his hat on the rack, and walked up stairs 
resolutely. 

The still drooping figure was there in the easy-chair, just 
as he had left it, but he marked the deepened wistfulness of 
the eyes and the quivering of the lips, as she lifted her head 
to greet him. 

^^Oh, sir, have you found Jane? And can we go away 
soon 

^^1 am afraid it is scarcely prudent to leave until morn- 
ing. There is more of a search than I imagined. This 
Mathew Merle is in deadly earnest, certainly. I have seen 
him myself to-night. 

''^You have seen him! — seen Mathew Merle! Oh, sir, 
you will not give me up to him?^^ ^ 

Indeed, I will not!^^ answered Maurice, his own eyes 
misting over from the woeful glance of those brown orbs. 

But I am at an utter loss to understand why you may not 

boldly face him, and refuse* to go with him,; and why 

He paused, and bent down over a little vase of fiowers on 
the table. And why, he added, in a voice which faltered, 
despite his efforts, ^^you have been compelled to take refuge 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


191 


in a disguise which I am sure is obnoxious and distasteful 
to you/'’ 

He did not raise his face from the flowers, nor glance 
toward the easy-chair. If he had, he would have seen the 
swift-coming blushes dispersed by a gentle dignity of man- 
• ner, as new as becoming. 

You are right,'’'’ said Will Yarrel ; one who has been ’ 
so kind to me, who is risking so much to help me, ought to 
know the circumstances of my history. Jane knew it all, 
and I am certain J ane would approve my telling you. It is 
a very sad story, and as strange as those you read in ro- 
mances. I suppose I was born in India, but I do not know 
more than Mathew Merle tells me. He says he is. my uncle, 
but I do not believe it; my whole nature cries out against 
the belief, and besides, if rt was so would he be so earnest 
to marry me to his son? Ho cousins often marry here in 
England? It seems wrong and unnatural to me, but it is 
not for that I most earnestly rebel. It is because George 
Merle, from my earliest childhood, has been the ogre and 
terror of my life. I was brought up, you understand, in 
Mathew Merle'’s home. He has really a guardian^s power, 
and within this last year he has used it in the most tyran- 
nical fashion. That was the head and front of my offend- 
ing — that I utterly refused and protested every time it was 
proposed — against a marriage with George Merle. You do 
not know him, of course — he is in India now, I suppose — 
but if you did, if you were on friendly terms, what is com- 
monly called well acquainted, you would never see, as I do, 
what a low, cruel, brutal nature is his. His father does not 
see it; he is so wily and cunning that even while he is cheat- 
ing and deceiving him, his father idolizes him. But in his 
very boyhood he vented upon me all the low spite and 
brutal tyranny of his nature. Oh! how many times I have 
vented my childish suffering in wild appeals for Heaven to 
take me away where my unknown parents had gone! Now 


192 


OCTAVIA’S PRIDR 


I have flamed at him in flerce hut unavailing indignation- 
now I have trembled and shivered only at the sound of his 
coming step! All that I could fear, and dread, and loathe, 
George Merle has taught me. He made my child-life so 
miserable and forlorn that, all unknowing of the great 
secrets of death, I prayed my poor little heart out beseech- 
ing Heaven to let me die. He went away to a great school 
when I was fourteen, and from that time to this every year 
I had peace and quiet, and learned to find a little joy in 
life. And now, Mathew Merle of a sudden tells me I am to 
marry George, and be rich, and happy, and honored. If 
he thrust me upon the brink of a bottomless pit, I should 
not shrink back in such horror. Marry George Merle I 
would not, if I had only the alternative of thrusting a dag- 
ger into my own breast. I said so passionately and defiantly, 
and then Mathew Merle, who had hitherto left me pretty 
much alone, became this pitiless, tyrannical ruler from 
whom I have tried to escape. He took me all of a sudden, 
without a single word of explanation, from our quiet home 
in Bombay, and brought me to England. I made no objec- 
tion, but rather rejoiced in the change, especially when I 
found that George was to remain behind. But I sooii found 
it was but a change of persecutions. Oh, sir, what can be 
the reason they are so set upon my misery? It is not love 
for me. It would be the bitterest of mockery for them to 
pretend that George Merle wishes td marry me because he 
loves me. What is it then? 

^^I have tortured my brain almost to frenzy trying to 
solve the mystery. When I came to England I had high 
hopes. I can hardly tell you how wild they were, but I 
meant to discover for myself my birth, my true home. I 
had two things to help me — a locket and my mother^s Bible, 
which one of Mathew Merle^s servants gave me on her death- 
bed, and told me to hide from her master. With these for 
my magic keys, I meant to unlock some proud and beautiful 


OGTAVIA^S PBIDR 


193 


secret. Woe is me! When the power is in an unprincipled 
personas hand^ how helpless his victim can be! I can do 
nothing. 

She paused a moment to turn the melancholy brown eyes 
imploringly upon his. 

^^My poor child! you shall have some one now to espouse 
your cause 1^^ cried Maurice, hotly. I will defy this Mathew 
Merle, and save you.-"^ 

A mournful smile trembled through her tears. 

^^Ah, you are so noble and good! But I am worn to 
spiritlessness. Poor Jane was to be my staff and stay, and 
now she has vanished. Will not something take you away 
alsor 

^^1^0,^^ cried Maurice, all the chivalry of his noble nature^ 
flaming up within his heart. I will devote myself to your 
service. But tell me all, and when I know the whole, I can 
judge if the plan I have formed will answer. 

I might make it a long story, but it will sicken you, and 
it pains me. It is enough to say he took me where he could 
work his will without fear of hindrance. He kept me a 
close prisoner locked in his room. I think he pretended to 
the landlady that I was not of sound mind. I do not know 
why he brought me to England, unless to make sure in 
some way the identity of some claim to which I am positive 
my birth entitles me. But he persecuted me day after day 
to obtain my consent to a marriage with George. He tried 
coaxing and bribing first; told me that his son had come 
into a great fortune, and could only be happy in taking me 
for his wife. I laughed the absurd statement to scorn. 
Then* he was angry, and tried to grind down my spirit Mth 
persecutions and privations. Heaven only knows why I was 
not driven to madness. But I know that I shudder now to 
recall my mental agony. I had determined to use every 
means to escape from him, and twice nearly succeeded. But 
that woman who kept the house, of whom I was almost as 


194 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


much afraid as of Mathew Merle^ detected me, and cut ofl 
my only hope. One day a singular looking person passed 
through the corridor, which was a sort of promenade for 
the boarders. My room had a little glass pane in the top of 
the door, and from my dreary perch in the high-barred 
windows I could look through. I noticed him, the first 
time he came, in a listless fashion; but next my attention 
was drawn by seeing the landlady point me out, and allow 
him to look at me through the glass door. A strange im- 
pulse made me burst forth in a wild appeal for help. I said 
I was dying by inches, growing mad with misery. I de- 
clared a lonely desert, a trackless ocean, was preferable to 
the life I led. 

The stranger listened attentively, and it‘ almost seemed 
to me the landlady's hard heart was melted; for, after the 
man in the long coat and the bushy whiskers had left, she 
came to my room and sat down and talked with me. She 
asked me what I had done to anger my uncle. I told her 
nothing, except that I would not marry his son. She said 
she was sorry for me, but she was a poor woman, and could 
not help me. It struck me as odd that when she said it she 
put her hand in her pocket, and I heard the chinking of 
coin. I tried my best to conciliate her, hoping to escape 
through her help; and, though I did not care for it, I drank 
a cup of coffee she brought me just after Mathew Merle had 
paid me his usual afternoon visit. 

Oh, sir, you will believe me, will yoii not, when I tell 
you that I knew nothing more from that moment until I 
woke, far out to sea, on board the ship Sea Foam. I was 
there, dressed in these clothes, with gold in my pocket, and 
a trunk filled with boy^s clothing, but not a vestige of my 
old life left me except my Bible, and that had been muti- 
lated, for the blank pages and every scrap of writing had 
been cut out. Even the precious locket I had secretly worn 
around my neck was gone. This letter was in my pocket. 


OGTAVIAS PRIDE. 


195 


Eead it, sir, and try to have pity, and imagine what must 
have been my feelings awaking there to such circumstances, 
the only woman on board a ship^s crew and officers — every 
soul an utter stranger/^ 

She drew forth a small pocket-book, took out the mys- 
terious letter she had so carefully preserved, and put it in 
his hand. 

Maurice read it with intense interest, and looked over to 
her with pitying sympathy. 

Now,"" said she, you will not blame me that I accepted 
the disguise thrust upon me. W as it not, indeed, the wisest 
course? At all events, I kept my secret from them. The 
captain was a generous, warm-hearted man, and he was 
kind as a father; but I guarded my secret. I accepted the 
mysterious author of the letter for my friend. I knew 
enough of life to guess how hard and hitter a defenseless 
girl would find a struggle for livelihood. 

think I won the friendliness of all on board, but left 
the ship, and chose to remain alone for weeks on a lonely 
island, because in the still most mysterious manner, Mathew 
Merle, whom I met in London, appeared and asked to take 
passage with the captain. Think of it, sir, on that island 
I learned that the poor, conscience-stricken shipmaster had 
been ^ paid heavily to leave me upon the deserted island. 
My unknown friend became also an enemy. 

Oh, what have I done — what am I — whose foe, or heir? 
that I am so strangely persecuted? I, a lonely, friendless 
creature."" 

^^No longer friendless,"" cried out Maurice. will 
gladly give my whole life to your service."" 

Those brilliant eyes of his spoke a language of their own 
beyond his words. 

Wilhelmine blushed softly, and then sighed. 

But you must hear the rest. . How the. Royal Bess 
came to the island for my relief, and Mathew Merle again 


196 


ocTAviA^s pbibe: 


confronted me. He pretended ignorance. For a little 
time I fancied in my boy^s disguise I was safe. But when 
we landed I met a glance from that basilisk eye of his^ 
which assured me that I was known^ and watched. The 
rest you know.^^ 

It is a strange, astonishing history/^ said Maurice, after 
a moments deep reflection. 

But there is one missing link I can supply. Mathew 
Merle himself was drugged, and put on board another ship. 
Your mysterious letter writer, I think, took care of you 
both. And yet, what could be the object? It seems likely, 
indeed, that you have a rightful claim to some fortune, or 
why should these Merles care for you so long and yet per- 
secute you so shamefully? I will give the matter close 
reflection when I have time. 

N'ow then for my plan. It will be less likely to dis- 
please you, after this explanation. We have decided that 
it would be impossible to smuggle any boy to i^the London 
train without the police interfering. But they will not 
question the right of the departure of Mr. Grey^s guests. 
You will not be angry if I tell you that you must pass for a 
little time as my wife. Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Middleton 
will take a coach boldly to-morrow morning. I gave your 
friend Jane my address. We shall probably hear from her 
to-morrow, and as soon as they abandon the search, you 
may resume, if you choose, your original journey.'’^ 

You are so kind — you are so good,^^ faltered the girl — 
^^how can I ever repay you?^^ 

Mr. Maurice Middleton did not speak the thought which 
came to him, and sent a thrill of pleasure through his 
heart. 

^^And now,^^ said he, ^^I may tell Mrs. Grey to make 
ready Mrs. Middleton^s dothing!^^ 

She blushed, and smiled, and arched her head a little 


0CTAVIA8 PRIDE, 


197 


haughtily^ as she drew out some gold and handed it to 
him. 

You will pay her. I — I do not wish to owe anything 
to the lady, for she has hardly been as kind and forbearing 
as one happy and prosperous woman should be toward a less 
fortunate sister. • 

I understand you. And I resent the unkindness more 
indignantly than you can do. But remember how some 
natures are so shallow and narrow, they make more noise 
and stir in flowing over a few pebbles than a broad majestic 
river does in sweeping grandly to the^ocean.^'’ 

^‘1 am' ashamed of my poor resentment, when I, a 
stranger, am receiving such generous and disinterested 
kindness, she said the next moment in self-reproach, and 
went with him smiling more hopefully. 

Mrs. Grey, after his brief explanation, was more gracious 
likewise, and the pair went off to her chamber, from which 
came now and then the gay prattle of voices, with occa- 
sional bursts of girlish laughter. 

In a short time they re-appeared. If Will Yarrel had 
been strikingly handsome and interesting looking, what 
could Maurice think of this fair young girl who came 
gliding behind Mrs. Grey, her cheeks glowing with blushes, 
her eyes shining with joyful hope? 

^^Who would recognize her exclaimed Mr. Grey. 
^^Why, she has added three years to her looks, and lost 
nothing by it either, he added. 

But I tell her we must contrive'Ho cover up those short, 
kinky boy^s curls with false braids. The police have such 
terrible eyes for trifles. Thomas must go out for some; and 
when she has on a hat and vail, I think we may defy them,^^ 
said his wife, having by this time nearly overcome her 
scruples. 

The next morning early the coach that had been ordered 
for Mr. Grey^s visitors made its appearance. Two police- 


198 


OCTAVIAS PBIDE. 


men were lounging along the sidewalk^ and policemen have 
a way of taking notes of passing events without seeming to 
use their eyes at all. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, however, 
seemed to have no concern about the matter. The Greys 
came down the steps for the last words of leave-taking. 
There were warm adieus, and many promises of a recipro- 
cated visit. The trunk was strapped behind, and away 
rolled the coach. 

A pretty woman said one. policeman to the other. 

^^Ib’s all right, returned his confederate. ^^ They were 
there before our bird arrived in Liverpool.'’^ 

^^Safe so far, Miss Wilhelmine!^^ said Maurice, gayly. 
‘‘1 think you might almost venture to throw up your vail.'’^ 
yet,^^ she answered, catching her breath nervously. 
^^It seems to me as if every stone in the pavement was 
ready to cry out and betray me.""^ 

. ^^You have not been under my care before; I do not 
allow failure or betrayal. 

The coach drove briskly up to the great station. There 
was an extra force of police around. Maurice perceived it 
at a glance, but would not disturb his companion by any 
allusion to it. 

The door was opened, and the coachman came to help 
them out. Maurice gathered up the shawl, and book, and 
luncheon basket, pretty trifles to give further proof of their 
journey^s genuineness, and gave the lady his arm, walking 
on carelessly toward the office. He felt her Angers close 
suddenly upon his arni, and knew what it meant without 
her whisper: 

^^Oh, sir, there is Mathew Merle 


' OCT AVI 8 PEIDK 


m 


CHAPTEK XXI. 

^COME TO A BETTER REEUGE."^ 

Lady Mary^s sudden illness made less stir in the gay circle' 
gathered at Chichester Eookery than that of any other 
member could have done. She had mingled so little with 
them^ had been so still and quiet upon her brief visits to 
the drawing-room, that she was scarcely missed. She did 
not withdraw any one else either, as would have been the 
case had it been General Wainwright. She herself volun- 
tarily shortened Lord Eonald^’s visits to her sick-room. 

She was nervously anxious, indeed, that there should be 
no interruption of the festivities, and no shadow cast upon 
their gayety. She was not very ill, she said to the countess, 
with a wistful smile, only a little worn out and debilitated. 
The doctor corroborated the statement, but the earl always 
came away with a grave face from her chamber. Perhaps 
he alone saw the mask removed, and knew all that she was 
suffering. She had been too ill, immediately after, for any 
one to question her concerning the unknown visitor whose 
call had so excited the idle curiosity of the guests; and the 
earl himself had settled the matter by telling them the 
woman came with a message from an old friend in India, 
but that her ladyship had been taken ill too soon to hear 
out her communication. Xo one, therefore, thought of 
connecting the two events. 

The earl had somehow lost a little of his own cheerful- 
ness and serenity, and if any one had noticed him particu- 
larly they would have discovered his nervous watch of all 
arrivals. 

He came out from his room when the mail arrived, and 
contrary to his usual habit, opened the bag himself, and 


200 


OCTAVIAS PBIDE. 


with his own hands sorted over the letters, a task which 
from time immemorial had devolved upon the butler. He 
moreover playfully forestalled Lord Eonald, and carried 
Lady Mary^s correspondence to its owner, and under . her 
eye opened and read the letters. 

The letter for which they had both secretly looked, and 
which they had mutually dreaded, without allowing the 
other to suspect it, came one morning about ten days after 
the visit of Jane West. 

The earl brought it in with one or two others on business 
matters, and silently handed them for her to examine the 
handwriting of the address; 

Lady Mary was bolstered up in the easy-chair. She 
sorted them over listlessly, and laid them on her lap. 

^^This one is from Thompson, the agent, and this from 
Pryor, the housekeeper, and this from Oosse & Blackwells, 
and this 

She paused, looked long and earnestly at the coarse, 
rather feeble looking chirography, and said, in a troubled 
voice: 

do not know that writing at all."^^ 

The earl stretched out his hand to take it. 

^^Let me read it for you, Mary.^^ 

But her thin, white fingers held it firmly, and in a mo- 
ment more she broke the seal. 

A low cry broke over the pale lips, but she checked it, 
and glanced apprehensively around to see if her maid or 
the nurse were present. They had, however, both retired 
on the earhs appearance. 

She went back, and read it over carefully, then held it 
out to him, moaning: 

Oh, I would that I were dead! There is another, still 
another in possession of that fatal secret. Oh, Philip, 
Philip, the way of the transgressor is hard V’ 

Hush, Mary exclaimed the earl. 


OCTAV/A^S PRIDJ^, 


201 


But Ms own hand trembled over the letter^ and his brow 
grew dark and stern. 

Well/^ said he, presently, ^‘'the fellow must be looked 
after. It is a shameful thing in Doctor Morley that he did 
not destroy those papers. There will be no end, if once we 
begin to bribe or silence such a one as wrote that letter. I 
have half a mind to defy him. After all the whole affair is 
dead. There could be no great harm come from the ex- 
posure. 

Lady Mary clasped her hands with a wild upward glance. 

'"ISTo harm? Oh, Philip, think of the disgrace!'" 

The earl knit his forehead savagely. 

Who would take this vagabond's word against that of 
the Earl of Chichester? How has he obtained the papers? 
You say the woman declared they had been stolen. Is a 
thief to blacken the name of a peer of England?" 

Lady Mary caught her breath gaspingly. She said only 
two words, but the sorrowful, reproachful eyes held an ac- 
cusation which her brother read intelligently. 

Oh, Philip!" 

He flushed even to his forehead, and stammered: 

I know I have no right, remembering my follies, to con- 
demn wrong in others. Perhaps you will say," he added, 
bitterly, I am but a mate for such, since my noble birth 
did not hinder my sharing their wrong-doing. I don't 
wonder you are shocked. My poor Mary! when I remember 
what suffering it has brought upon you, I wonder you do 
not All my ears with incessant and angry reproaches. You, 
who are innocent, -seem to have borne the most anguish, the 
most punishment." 

Innocent!" faltered Lady Mary's shivering lips, and then 
she turned her face to the pillow, and closed her eyes. 

At all events," said the earl, reg^aining his composure, 

this fellow must be granted the interview he desires. It 
may be a salutary thing for him to discover that he will not 


I 


202 . 00 f AVI A' 8 PRIDE, 

hold his bargain with a sick woman, but must deal with the 
Earl of Chichester himself. You empower me to act for 
you?"^ 

She was silent^a moment. 

^^Of course^you must. Is not the affair mine rather than 
yours, except for your unfortunate attachment to Morley?^^ 
he repeated, a little impatiently. 

• I should like to see the man myself, Philip, if I am able, 
but I will give him to understand that you are to settle the 
affair. 

It is suicidal for you to submit yourself to so much ex- 
citement, Mary.^^ 

Do you think it is any easier to stay in this room, and 
know that you are with him?^^ she added, mournfully. 

We must get those papers, Philip, let their price be what 
they may, and I ask it as my right that you give them to me 
before you examine them yourself. 

They must be promptly burnt; I will have no more dal- 
lying. Then I understand I am to allow this Mathew Merle 
to come here, on the day and hour he has set?^^ 

Yes. If lam able, I shall receive him. I shall mention 
to Konald that I expect such a person on business, and there 
will be no comment. When is the hour?^^ 

^^At four, the day after to-morrow. Take my advice, 
Mary, and spare yourself such a trying interview. I admit 
that is disturbs me to think of it — you. Lady Mary Falkner, 
lowering yourself to parley with this low-born wretch. 

A bitter, bitter smile 'crossed Lady Mary^s white face. 

Alack, Philip, my self-love can receive no w6und from 
such a source, nor my pride be in any way lowered. Per- 
haps because it already lies so low, so low,^^ she repeated, 
drearily. 

He looker at her a moment gloomily, almost indignantly; 
but a tender compassion stole over him as she closed her 
eyes wearily. How white and wan it was, how full of lines 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


203 


left there by keenest sufferings the face he could still recall 
so fair, and brights and gay^ in its girlish bloom! 

Struck dumb with the consciousness of his own share in 
the changes he only kissed hers and left her without another 
word. * ■ 

The earl had prepared an excursion to take away from 
the house the majority of his guestSs on the afternoon the 
unwelcome visitor was expecteds but a lowering skys with 
occasional showers of rains disturbed his calculations. And 
they were unusually dull and listless from the disappoint- 
ments ands with ennuied f aceSs were distributed at the win- 
do wSs watching for a sign of fair weathers when the carriage 
brought Mathew Merle to the entrance step. N^oWs strangers 
arriving and departing from Chichester Eookery was too 
common to attract attention. It had only been Ihe fact of 
her coming unattended in a post-chaise that had drawn the 
observation of the noble company upon Jane West. 

Mathew Merles thens for all his singular lookSs excited no 
comment. Only Octavia Wainwrights sitting near the win- 
dows playing chess with Lord Konalds uttered a little ex- 
clamation of astonishments and cast a second inquiring 
glance at the window. 

Felix was in the room at the times drawing a plan for the 
countess of a new summer-house. Whatever else might 
occupy hims he never lost a look or gesture of Miss 
Wainwrighffs. 

He laid down his pencil and walked straight to the win- 
dows reaching it just in time to recognize the missing wit- 
ness as he stepped under the portal. 

Miss Waipwright had made a false move and was jesting 
over its she found time to look up questioningly as Felix 
returned. Their eyes mets and there was a little confusion 
on both sides. She finished her game with Lord Eonalds 
howevers and Felix returned to his drawing. The post- 
chaise still waited at the door. 


204 


OCTAVIA'S PRIDE. 


As the pearl-inlaid chess table was wheeled away, Octavia 
rose, carelessly shook out her lawn flounces, and sauntered 
across the room, stopping, as if by accident, at the table 
where the summer-house plan was being warmly discussed 
by the countess and one of her guests. Miss Nettie Hather- 
way, an East Indian heiress, who was quite willing to com- 
mence a flirtation with the grave, unimpressible, but re- 
markably interesting Mr. Thorne. 

Miss Wainwright had not failed to notice the young lady^s 
kindly interest in the work of Felix Thorne. It is possible 
she took a wicked pleasure in seeing that quick sparkle 
come into his eye and the spot of crimson gather on the sal- 
low cheek when she approached. She leaned over the table 
a moment,^ and followed with her white Anger the lines on 
the plan. 

^^Very good, Mr. Thorne, said she; do you know I 
detect a blunder, and I am wondering how you will repair 

itr 

He recognized the hidden meaning and answered quickly: 

‘^^If there is a blunder it can be remedied by prompt 
action. Miss Wainwright.^"" 

She seemed to be examining the plan with keen interest. 

‘‘1 should like to know how you will commence, she 
said, slowly, putting her Anger again on one of the founda- 
tion lines. ^^What will you do here, to make the upper 
structure secure 

^^Lay a straight plank. Miss Wainwright.^^ 

But the danger — the lack of security, she said, mean- 
ingly. 

A singular smile came to his thin lips. He compelled her 
to look at him by a magnetic glance of power. 

I shall not be afraid of danger. I will work simply and 
fearlessly, let what will come."^^ 

She lowered her white eyelids slowly, a little shiver shot 


OGTAVIA'S PRIDE. 


205 


through her stately figure^ and Avithoiit a word she turned 
away. 

She took a seat in the window nearest the steps, and sat 
there after Felix had left the room. She saw him take up 
his position by the post-chaise, and knew what he was wait- 
ing for. A growing fear and weary pain was in her heart, 
but she kept up a playful conversation with Lord Konald, 
who drifted to her side almost as inevitably as the magnetic 
needle to the pole. 

She knew when Mathew Merle came out. She saw his, 
glum face suddenly flush over with flerce anger, and noted 
the steady determinatian with which Felix confronted him. 

Oh, what would I give to hear what they are saying 
thought she, feverishly, and yet responded with a careless 
smile to Lord Eonald^s jest. 

There were but a few words spoken there, but Felix took 
a card from Mathew Merle, bowed stiffly, and came back 
into the house. 

Octavia Wainwright found means that evening to steal 
into the library, where he sat poring over the earFs Austra- 
lian papers. 

He rose from his chair when he saw the grim set of the 
scarlet lip, the feverish gleaming of the singular eyes. 

Miss Wainwright he ejaculated in astonishment. 

Felix, said she, in a proud, hard voice, ^^what are you 
going to do?^^ 

Proceed at once to flle in our petition for a new trial. 
You are aware that the missing witness has returned. The 
case of Middleton vs. Wainwright will come up again at the 
next court. 

She was snapping angrily at a bracelet of strung pearl 
and tiny shells, which ornamented the fair, exquisitely 
shaped arm. 

^^Do you deny that you are ignorant of the mine you 
may spring she asked, hastily. 


206 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


I do not know, and I do not care/^ returned he, pas- 
sionately; if the edifice tumbles, it will fall on other heads 
as well/^ 

You are cruel and vindictive. You do not care for any 
gain of your own. You only wish to punish me. You sent 
this Mathew Merle away once; why have you brought him 
back? I warn you that he will not help you to one farth- 
ing^s worth. 

He will prove the legitimacy of my father^s claim. He 
will show to the world that the proud Wainwrights have 
usurped another's rightful claim. 

She was standing still, looking down upon the carpet pen- 
sively. 

Cruel and pitiless, she murmured again. 

And is no one else cruel he burst forth, impetuously, 
^^have you no mercy upon those who come in your path 
She lifted those large eyes of hers dilated with a sudden 
terror. 

^^What do you mean?^^ 

Ask your own conscience, which you are smothering 
with, the iron hand of your imperious pride. This Mathew 
Merle accused me of a two-fold stratagem. He says I con- 
cocted a strange plan to send a poor girl drifting helplessly 
upon the world. He says my disguise of a long cloak, and 
slouched cap, and bushy beard, has been shrewdly pene- 
trated. Look you. Miss Wainwright, the thing of which 
he accuses me is utterly new to me. But I know something 
of such a cloak, and cap, and wig, and I guess who has 
been masquerading in them. I used them once myself, I 
make no denial of it. I smuggled them out of the old 
closet, and used them, but of . such a girl, and the ship Sea 
Foam, and a Captain Leyard, I know nothing. Speak, 
Miss Wainwright. What does your conscience say to you, 
who accuse me of being cruel and merciless!^'' 

The proud form was drooping, the lips trembled out of 


0GTAVIA8 PBIDE. 


207 


their sternness, but she flung out her white hands in a de- 
flant gesture 

I am not afraid of you, Feli:x. I do not care what you 
suspect or think/^ 

^^If I could only compel you to love me with one-half 
the passion which consumes me,^^ he said, flercely. 

She smiled bitterly. How blind these men could be! 
How easily cajoled by a woman^s art? But the moment 
after the poor exultation of such a thought died out. A 
dreamy haze crept into those resplendent eyes. The soft, 
tender curves came back to those scarlet lips. 

There ^re two natures in me, Felix, she said, slowly, 

one that you love, and one that you despise. I wonder 
which will conquer 

^‘^Who can doubt, returned Felix, looking at her with a 
flerce blending of adoration and anger, your pride and am- 
bition, Miss AYainwright, sweep away all other considera- 
tions.-’^ 

She sighed heavily, and then laughed. 

Well, if you are determined upon war, it is a consola- 
tion to know that I can step aside from the ruin into which 
you hope to involve me, as well as yourself. My pride and 
ambition can ask no richer tribute than lies waiting for a 
beckoning gesture of mine.^^ 

I know your meaning. I am half persuaded you are 
right. Yet I do not forget that the Falkners and Chiches- 
ters are proud and exacting also.^'’ 

Lord Eonald loves me,^^ said Miss Wainwright, but there 
was no womanly conscious blush upon her cheeks. 

^^His love is like a mountain rill beside a Magara, in 
comparison with mine,^^ said Felix, flercely. 

She swept back the luxuriant ripples of fair hair from 
her broad white temples, and looked into his face wistfully. 

Octavia, you are right, you have a dual nature. It is 
the truest and best that is pleading with you. Your pride 


208 


OCTAVIAS FRIBE. 


and ambition may be gratified, but your heart will be 
starved/^ he cried, beseechingly. Come to a better 
refuge/^ 

He half opened his arms, and all the passion and strength 
of his powerful nature seemed to have passed into those 
glittering eyes of his. 

She stood a moment trembling, once actually took a step 
toward him, and then suddenly she turned and fied. 

Felix sank back into the chair, and dropped his head to 
the table with a bitter groan. 

# 

CHAPTER XXII. 

INSULT TO INJUBYT 

Lady Mary FalkneFs interview with Mathew Merle had 
been exceedingly agitating, and she had found the shrewd, 
crafty old man so exorbitant in his demands, that she had 
been obliged to give the signal upon the bell, which the earl 
stood impatient to answer. 

His lordship came into the apartment wearing his sternest 
and haughtiest look. But Mathew Merle was not so easily 
daunted. He maintained his ground coolly, despite the 
angry threats of the great man, and would not abate one 
iota of his claim. 

You are an arrant rogue, said the earl, impatiently, 

and your greediness will lose you the generous sum I am 
willing to give. Let the matter pass. Keep the papers. 
After all, what are they worth to me? The affair is past 
and buried. To be sure, to save the unpleasantness of a 
little scandal, I am willing to buy them, even of one who 
has obtained them by fraud, to save the reviving of a 
youthful indiscretion. I tell you, there can no harm come 
of them — nothing beyond a little scandal, and who will heed 


OCT AVI AS PRIDR 


m 

that^ when my life has so thoroughly established my pres- 
ent reputation? Take yourself and your papers away/^ 

Mathew Merle had smiled grimly, as he turned toward 
the haggard face of the countess. 

Too high a price, is it? Ask her ladyship if it is more 
than it is worth to secure those papers in her own hand? 
Why, they are of that value to me, now."^^ 

Her ladyship is easily frightened; you are to deal with 
me,^^ was the earks angry reply. 

But Lady Mary stretched out her white hands implor- 

ingly- 

Let him come again with the papers, Philip; he says 
they are not here to-day. 

Of course they are not,^^ sneered Mathew Merle, am I 
a silly boy 4;hat I bring them on my person into your house, 
before the terms are made?^^ 

The earks haughty spirit chafed fiercely at the man^s 
insolence of look and tone. He laid his hand on the bell 
to summon a servant to put the intruder out of the house, 
but a low, imploring cry from his sister checked him. 

Philip, said she, ^Histen to me in this matter.'’^ 

Yes,^^ said Mathew Merle, coolly, ‘^^you will be wise to 
listen to Lady Falkner."^^ 

There was an emphasis on the name which made the 
noble lady wince. 

Appoint your own time and place — ^but let it be 
prompt, said she, with a gentle dignity, which touched 
even Mathew Merle. The earl will see that the sum you 
require is ready for you.^^ % 

But, Mary,^^ expostulated the earl. 

^^Hush! I am worn out. I can bear no more. Let him 
go now, with the understanding that the money will bq 
paid him. It must be — Philip. Come back to me when 
you have settled where to meet him.^^ 


210 


OOTAVIAS PBIDE, 


The earl, however unwilling, was fain to obey that woeful, 
authoritative look. 

He saw Mathew Merle, with a sardonic smile of triumph, 
take his leave, and with a nameless terror in his heart came 
back to the pale woman in the easy-chair. The nurse had 
given her a cordial, and respectfully expostulated against 
further business transactions. Lady Mary only smiled 
mournfully, and sent her away. 

The earl drew his chair to her bedside, and took in his 
the thin white hand, as he said: 

^^My poor Mary, what new trouble is this?^^ 

^^Ah, Philip, nothing new. It is the old, old wrong. 
The time has come when I can no longer hide it from you, 
the terrible secret which has poisoned all my life. Philip, 
you knew that it was through my persuasions that Arthur 
Morley stepped in between you and the consequences of 
your Oxford folly, but you did not know why I was able to 
induce so conscientious a person to take upon himself that 
overwhelming appearance of guilt. Bend your head close, 
and let me whisper what I dare not trust to be spoken 
aloud. 

She whispered a few words in his ear, and then buried 
her ashen face in her shaking hands. 

Great heavens! Mary, Mary, this cannot be,^^ he cried, 
in a voice of unutterable horror. 

^^It is Heaven^’s truth,^^ she answered, hopelessly. 
loved him always. I had hopes that it would end favor- 
ably, and the terrible danger, aiid your distracted appeals, 
and the lack of any time for deliberation quite drove me 
frantic. Oh, I never meant to^wrong him so terribly, or 
to become so guilty myself. But I was so miserably weak, 
and our father was so fierce, he had brought us up with 
such an iron rule. I dared not disobey when he bade me 
prepare for my marriage with Lord Falkner. Oh, the 
wretched, wretched life I led! the miserable subterfuges I 


OCT AVIA* S PEIDK 


211 


was compelled to adopt. The great terror which came 
upon me when I realized my position 

She paused^ shuddering from head to foot. 

The earl was wiping away the clammy drops from his fore- 
head. 

And he bore it patiently he said^ at last. 

A dreary smile made the haggard face more wretched still 
in its appearance. 

I had no fear of him — never, any of the time. Oh, I 
knew however deeply I stabbed his honor, and happiness, 
and honest name, he would still bear with me. I wrote 
him a mild appeal to- his love and compassion; I showed 
him the strait into which pitiless circumstances had driven 
me, and I think he always pitied me. He sent me back but 
a single line, that if I could obtain Heaven^s forgiveness, I 
need not fear his resentment. And you know he went away 
to Australia. 

^"Good Heaven! good Heaven!^’ repeated the earl, al- 
most incoherently. Ho wonder you reverence the man^s 
memory 

He was a martyr! He is a saint now!^^ said Lady Mary, 
in a low voice. 

^^But I have had my punishment even from him. When 
Lord Falkner died, I wrote to him — ^you may guess what 
reparation I offered — and my letter was returned to me, re- 
directed, and but this single line in his handwriting, ^ In- 
sult to injury!^ Oh, the words have burned in to my brain! 
His love had turned, you see, to loathing, and mine 

She spoke the words slowly, with an effort that seemed 
to require her whole strength. 

^^And mine had strengthened and grown with every 
added year, until now it is something akin to the adoration 
of a devotee, and now I am going to meet him there above 
— he, the strong, and dauntless, and pure, and I, the weak. 


21 ^ 


OOTAVIAS PRIM, 


and cowardly^ and guilty woman who condemned him to 
such misery 

The last words were hardly audible. 

The earhs consternation was thoroughly pitiable. He 
paced the room with swift steps^ his unnerved arms drop- 
ping helplessly by his side. 

He paused once to put a glass of water to her white lips^ 
and when she seemed a little revived, he said, hoarsely: 

Mary, it was my wickedness that brought upon you all 
this sorrow and trouble. I have hitherto called it the wild 
folly of a dissipated young man, but I see the sin now in its 
hideous proportions. I will not blame you. I cannot 
blame you, knowing so well how circumstances forced you 
into the unhappy position. Thank Heaven, Falkner is 
dead, and this Morley has gone too. Do you mean that 
this wretch who has left us can bring proofs of this ugly 
story 

He can. You see that no price is too exorjDitant for us 
to pay. Doctor Morley, noble, generous soul! saved those 
papers, and left provision for them to be forwarded safely 
and securely to me. This man, it seems, somehow found 
out and stole the papers from that woman^s charge. Philip, 
you must get them, at any price, for Eonald^s sake."^^ 

Holy saints! poor Eonald! he must never suspect this. 
You are right. I will have those papers, if I dog that 
many’s steps and throttle him to get possession of them.^^ 

You must give him the money. Take my Jewels and 
sell them, if necessary. 

Trust me to use all possible dispatch and caution. I 
am to meet him again this week. Try to take rest now, 
my poor Mary, and dismiss your anxiety. You should have 
trusted this to me before. 

^‘1 was true to my nature — still cowardly, she said, 
mournfully. I shall do my best to rest, for I am thor- 


OCTAVIAS PEIDE, 


213 


onghly worn out^ and I want to have an earnest talk with 
Eonald to-night/^ 

^^IN'ot to tell him this?^^ said the earl^ hastily. 

^^ISTo; oh^ no. Do you think a mother^s lips could ever 
tell him such a story? But to learn about Miss Wainwright. 
I am nervously anxious that he should be independent of 
any accident. With her dower, and my private fortune, he 
would be secure from poverty, let what might come. I shall 
urge his immediate proposal. 

She is a brilliant creature. I meant to have looked up 
that rumor; but of course there can be no foundation for it, 
or the general would not rest so secure and contented. It 
is a very fine property, and I know the AVainwrights of 
Surrey are a very old family. E’ow I must leave you. Pray 
let the nurse put you at once to sleep; and don^t have 
Eonald here until you can show a less ghastly face.'’^ 

^^If the nurse could only bring the sleep sighed Lady 
Mary. 

But when Lord Eonald came she was looking quite re- 
vived. The dressing-maid had brought a becoming wrap- 
per, and had touched the worn cheeks with a tint of rouge, 
and as she held out her hand to him, with a tender smile, 
her eyes gleaming brightly, the son exclaimed, joyfully: 

My dear mamma, you are better to-day. It is so de- 
lightful to see a little color again in those dear, pale cheeks. 
You have had a comfortable day, I am sure.^^ 

Lady Mary kept her hold of his hand, smiling wistfully. 

^^I have been thinking a great deal about you and your 
prospects to-day. Eonald, dear, pull those cushions to my 
feet, and sit down as you used to when you came home 
from school and told over your adventures. What have 
you been doing to-day? Are you enjoying this visit to the 
Eookery?^^ 

Indeed I am,^^ answered the handsome young fellow^ 


214 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


smiling archly at her penetrating glance, as he settled him- 
self at her feet; ^^it is quite an improvement on the Scot- 
tish tour/^ 

And Miss Wainwright/^ asked Lady Mary, running her 
thin white fingers through the curly locks of the head laid 
against her knee. 

The color deepened in his cheeks. 

think she enjoys it also. It was splendid in my uncle 
to invite them here.'’^ 

^^Eonald, dear, is your mind quite settled 

About what, my wise mamma 

You know very well what I mean. DonT be shy, even 
of such secrets, with your mother, Eonald. Are you satis- 
fied that you love her?^^ 

Indeed I am,^^ was the prompt reply. I shall always 
be proud of such a Lady Falkner. She is worthy, I think, 
to sit in your place, and that is the highest praise I can give 
her, precious mother.'’^ 

Lady Mary was silent. Such bitter mockery his words 
seenied; but she must keep still that fair mask and hide how 
his words stabbed her. 

If you are sure of your own sentiments I think it hon- 
orable for you to speak them,'’^ she said, presently, after a 
thoughtful silence on either side. 

Do you think so?^^ returned he, eagerly. I have been 
longing to make my hopes sure, but have been afraid of be- 
ing precipitate.'’^ 

I think it both wise and proper. I am anxious myself 
to have it settled. My health is feeble; no one knows what 
may happen. I should like to give your wife a mother^’s 
blessing before I die.^^ 

Oh, mother, donT dash my joyful hopes by introducing 
such a black shadow. You are improving. I told you I 
was sure you were looking better. But I will risk my fate 
to-night. We are going to see that wonderful midnight 






216 


OGTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


plant, which the gardener says will bloom to-night. I will 
ask her then.^^ 

And come to my chamber with the answer; I shall not 
be asleep. Stay, there is a ring in my casket. The rose 
diamond, you know; use that for the engagement-ring.^^ 
Thank you, ifiamma. It is not too costly for my peer- 
less Octavia, though I should not have dared . to ask for it. 
Give me your good wishes again for good luck. ■ 

She kissed him fondly, and laid her hands on his head in 
mute blessing. 

Lord Ronald went away wondering at the solemnity of 
the act. 

That evening he led Octavia into the conservatory, which 
extended by terraces to the very gate-way of the park. 
Lady Chichester was very proud of her greenhouses, and 
had taken great pains to secure tasteful as well as compe- 
tent gardeners. The conservatory was large enough for a 
ball-room, and arranged with due regard to its being a win- 
ter resort for the guests, with wide marble-flagged walks, 
and bamboo settees, and sparkling fountains, quite clear 
from the usual impression of crowding the plants so closely 
together as to hide half their beauty. 

Lord Ronald had been shrewd enough to refrain from 
communicating the gardener^s announcement to the rest of 
the guests, and he had a clear field before him as he entered 
upon the fairy scene with the beautiful Octavia upon his 
arm. 

She uttered an exclamation of delight at the effect of the 
colored lights disposed around the central fountain, and 
they made a circuit of the building, glancing at all its won- 
ders, and admiring, to the gray-haired gardener^s content, 
its wealth of fragrance and loveliness, before they took seats 
before the star of the evening — the blossoms whose delicate 
petals were all aflutter with the first thrill of life. 

The gardener stood by and gave them its history, speak- 


OGTAVIA^S PBIDR 


217 


ing as tenderly and proudly as if it were a human being 
over whose life he had watched so many years, to be rewarded 
this night by its grateful answer. 

They listened to his garrulous, although respectful talk, 
in dreamy silence. The scene was so beautiful ; the rich 
fragrance of the air was so subtle and yet powerful in its 
effect neither of them could return to their careless talk. 
Octavia sat with her lap full of blossoms, which Lord Ronald 
had mutely presented, her large and pensive eyes roaming 
slowly from one beauty to another. A smile of dreamy, 
languid pleasure just stirred the red lips from their gentle 
curve. Her white hands fell listlessly and yet half caress- 
ingly among 'the flowers, crushing out a tropic breath from 
the orange blossoms. Presently, when the gardener had 
discovered that his explanations fell upon ears which took 
none of their meaning, he beat a hasty retreat. She sighed 
softly. 

Why is that,^^ asked Lord Ronald, in a voice of tender 
reproach, ^^you sigh, Miss Wainwright.'’^ 

From excessive delight perhaps, answered she, it is 
so beautiful here. DonT you fancy lotus-eaters breathe 
just such sighs, even in their paradise 

He smiled brightly. In such a scene, out of that mood 
it did not seem abrupt for him to take the great rose 
diamond in his hand, and, holding it out to her, say, 
simply: 

^^Miss Wainwright, I think you know very well how 
dearly I love you. Will you honor me so much as to give 
me the privilege of putting this rin^ upon your Anger ? I 
bring it with my. mothers blessing.''^ 

Octavia WainwrighPs dreamy eyes brightened out of their 
haze. Pride and ambitmn obtained their fruition now. The 
coronet of the FalkneiV lay at her feet. 

The white, gold fringed lids dropped slowly to the glow- 


218 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE, 


ing cheek, but she extended the lily hand, and smiled gra- 
'cionsly. 

You honor me too generously. Lord Eonald; that gem 
is fit for the betrothal of a princess/^ 

^‘^It is none too rich or rare for you, my peerless Octavia,^^ 
exclaimed the enraptured young nobleman. 

And the rose diamond glistened on Octavia^s finger. 
Strange to say, at that moment the radiance and beauty 
around her blurred over with a gloomy cloud. A cold shud- 
der stole from her fettered finger, and stabbed a stinging 
blow at her heart. For a moment, she felt as if she were 
suffocating. Lord Eonald, too agitated with his own bliss- 
ful emotion, perceived nothing. 

Half an hour afterward they passed out through the gar- 
landed archway, the belt of light from the chandelier above 
encircling them as by a ring of fire. The diamond on her 
finger caught the fiash of light, and glittered like a star. 
From behind a tall palm rose up a straight figure she knew 
full well; she saw — what Lord Eonald lost — a pale, set, 
masterful face glare at her a dumb anathma of scorn and 
rage, and again, that terrible pang shot through her heart. 

Octavia^s pride, however, her fondest ambition was gati- 
fied. She returned to the earhs drawing-room, the be- 
trothed of Lord Eonald Falkner, and that night she woke 
her father to receive his rapturous congratulations. 


CHAPTEE XXIII. 

CAKKYI]SrG OUT THE PKOGRAMME. 

Maurice perceived at once that the alarm of his fair com- 
panion had its reasonable excuse. 

Mathew Merle was there by the gate- way, talking with 
one of the guard. He spoke a low word of encouragement, 
and then began chatting in the most nonchalant manner. 


bcTAVIAS PBIBE. 


219 


He put her in the midst of a group of ladies who occu- 
pied one corner of the reception-room, and went out to pur- 
chase tickets. Mathew Merle saw him, and nodded grimly. 
Maurice, sauntering idly along, presently came up ‘to him. 

Ah, good-day, sir. Perhaps you are going up with this 
train. Would you mind taking a seat in the carriage with 
me? My wife won^t be any interruption; she always goes 
to sleep when she is in a rail-carriage.'’^ 

Your wife! Oh, yes, you came in with a lady. Per- 
haps she is solacing herself with grand visions connected 
with Wainwright Slope. Humph! Thank you. Pm not 
going to take this train. 

^^YouwonT fail of your appointment? I shall see my 
father to-day. 

I told you before I shouldnT fail,^^ he answered, glumly, 
bending forward to examine a group just entering the 
building. 

Are you looking for any one?^^ asked Maurice, with the 
most innocent air possible. 

Humph !^^ said Mathew Merle, whirling around on his 
heel. 

Maurice shrugged his shoulders, and walked back to the 
ladies^ room. 

The pale face under Mrs. Grey^s jaunty hat alarmed him. 

Pray, save yourself so much alarm,^^ he said, in a low 
voice. I have been talking with him, and I am sure he is 
entirely unsuspicious of your identity. I told him my wife 
was here, even invited him to get a seat in the same carriage, 
but he is not going in this train. 

^^But I must walk down the platform there, and go 
up into the carriage before him. Oh, those terrible eyes of 
hisr 

Courage! Only a few moments more, and we shall whirl 
away from him. I shall shield you as much as possible, 


220 


OCT AVI A' 8 PBIDE. 


and hide you behind the tallest man I can find. He is 
looking to see you in Will Yarrehs clothing, I am positive.'’^ 

They heard the approach of the train, and the shouting 
of the guard, and people began to gather up their bundles 
hastily, and hurry down to the platform. 

Oome,^^ said Maurice, steadily, understand that, even 
if he knows you, I shall not give you up to him. I will fight 
for you, if it is necessary. Can you not trust to my prowess 
I can,^^ answered Wilhelmine^s clear, sweet voice. I 
will trust you.^^ 

And she put her hand into his arm, and walked beside 
him steadily. Maurice took good care to fall into the crowd 
of ladies, and to keep the shawls half over her slender, 
sloping shoulders, which had made Will YarreFs form so 
airy and graceful. 

They were safely in the carriage at last, and, after what 
seemed an interminable delay, the train started. 

Wilhelmine drew one long, shuddering breath of unutter- 
able relief, and answered his congratulatory smile. 

The rubicon is passed. Adieu, Mathew Merle! Now, 
Miss Wilhelmine, I think you ought to ask where I am 
taking you.'’^ 

She looked up trustfully with her innocent brown eyes. 

I have little apprehension. I know it will be some place 
where I shall have peace and quiet. It only needs for me to 
find Jane, and to escape his search three months longer. I 
shall be free then from his guardianship, for then the law 
which gives him such power will itself defend me.'’^ 

How thoroughly she trusts me,^^ thought Maurice, all 
the chivalry and delicacy of his nature vowing to deserve 
her confidence. 

And since you have so little of the reputed womanly cu- 
riosity,^^ he said, aloud, must tell my story unsought. I 
have determined not to venture into London just yet, for I 
think Mathew Merle will search there as soon as he is sat- 


OOTAVIA'S PRIDE. 


221 


isfied that you are not in Liverpool. I have been stopping 
myself for some time in a charming little town in Surrey. 
And there is a good woman there who, I am sure, will keep 
you with all kindly service, and be faithful against any 
bribes. I happened to be of service once, when her foolish 
lad, under the inhuence of too deep potations of the fair, 
enlisted in the 'marine corps. I got him off for her; since 
when she is ready for apy good deed in my behalf. We 
might take the train all the way, but I prefer to leave, and 
proceed the latter portion of the journey by stage. I 
think you will enjoy it better, and it will be safer besides. 

His programme was safely carried out. 

They chanced to be the only passengers in the old-fash- 
ioned, lumbering coach, and could talk freely without fear 
of listeners. 

As they came in view of the gray turrets of Wainwright 
Slope, crowning the dark green summit of the hill, with the 
blue sweep of the river dimpling at its feet, his fair com- 
panion uttered an exclamation of girlish delight and ad- 
miration. 

What a lovely spot! Is it the residence of some of your 
English noblemen she asked. 

ISTo,^^ answered Maurice, gravely. It is the old ances- 
tral house of the Wainwrights.'’^ 

He looked at her a moment in silence, and then said, with 
a smiling glance into her pensive face: 

Ho you know that Mathew Merle has the power to es- 
tablish my father^s claim to that fine old place 

And he told her the story. 

She listened with keen interest, and said, at its conclusion, 
while a soft mist crept over her eyes: 

Ho you know that I have cherished wild visions of dis- 
covering some such noble old mansion as my rightful 
home? Alack! I was so foolish and extravagant when I 
first landed on English soil. I have been taught a bitter 


222 OCTAVIA'S PBIDE, 

lesson since. I only ask to learn my claim to an honest 
name. I only desire to put away the one I know does not 
belong to me.^^ 

Widow Darner was standing at her cottage door when the 
stage passed before the pretty rustic gate, but the moment 
she recognized Maurice she came down the walk, her honest 
face brightened with smiles. 

I have brought a young friend of mine to your care, 
Mrs. Darner, said Maurice, gayly; and then for the mo- 
ment a little disconcerted by the remembrance that he had 
forgotten to arrange a name by which she should be known, 
with his companion, he added : I was sure you would give 
her a pleasant home for a few weeks until her own is open 
to her.^^ 

Bless your heart, Mr. Middleton, 1^11 do my best. Walk 
in — walk in, miss.'’^ 

She led the way into an unpretending little parlor, which 
was, however, exquisitely neat, and fragrant with the breath 
of flowers heaped into two china trays. 

Maurice had his private word with Mrs. Darner presently, 
knowing very well her faithfulness to his cause., 

^‘^Mrs. Darner, said he, ^^this young lady is in trouble. 
She has been shamefully persecuted by the man who claims 
to be her guardian. She has escaped from him, and I have 
brought her here to be hidden. I know I can trust you to keep 
off curious eyes. I shall board at my old place, but I shall 
come to cheer and comfort her frequently. I want you to 
be always present on my visits. You understand me. I do 
not mean to allow the opportunity for a breath of scandal. 
She is too young and innocent herself to know this horrible, 
scandal-loving world; but it is none the less my duty to look 
out for it.^^ 

^‘1 understand. Bless your heart, sir! you^re a gentleman 
born, as Fve told my Johnny more than once. Yes, sir, 
ril be around; and, la sakes! I won^t be any hindrance. I 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


223 


always go to sleep when I sit still. She^s a pretty young 
creature. 

This last was said insinuatingly^ but did not elicit the 
desired confession from the young gentleman. 

Mrs. Darner^ however, had eyes of her own, and it was 
pretty evident to her how matters stood. 

It was a season of enchantment, whose moments slipped 
away on golden sands, for the young couple, that next week 
which followed. A letter reached Maurice from Jane West, 
including a hasty note for her ‘^^poor, dear Will,'’^ and 
directed to Master Will Yarrel. 

Wilhelmine, who bloomed- out every day in some new 
feminine grac'e, blushed brightly as she took it from his 
hand. 

‘"‘'Dear Jane! we must send her word at once. She will 
rejoice so much to know what kind friends I have found I” 
said she. 

The letter was written on the afternoon of their arrival 
in Liverpool, and stated her conjecture that the lad had 
been snatched from Mathew Merle by means of the kind 
gentleman whose card enabled her to make this attempt at 
communication with her friend. She begged him to report 
at once if he had not found the dear boy, but said, if he was 
safe it would be wise for them to remain apart a little time, 
giving Mathew Merle^s assertion as a reason for that 
decision. 

The letter was answered, and sent to the London office, 
as directed. The return mail brought a second record, re- 
joicing in Wilhelmine^s security, but full of fierce, stern 
anger. 

You will see why I cannot come to share your pleasant 
retreat, wrote Jane, ^"why I cannot allow myself but one 
thought, and aim, and employment, when I tell you that 
my box was empty when I carried it to the lady, and that I 
am positive you were right in your impression that Mathew 


224 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


Merle heard our mutual confessions that day in the cabin 
of the Eoyal Bess. I know that those papers are in his 
hands, and I must get them back at all costs, at any hazard. 
I must have them back.^^ 

‘^^Poor JaneP sighed Wilhelmine; ^^she will allow her- 
self no rest until she has succeeded. She is no match for 
Mathew Merle.'''' 

‘'‘^But I am. You must admit that,^" said Maurice, 
archly. 

She smiled, but ended with a little sigh. 

I am not sure. I hardly dare to put my head out of 
the window for fear he will suddenly appear. You may be 
sure he is not idle all this time.'"’ 

He shall not have you,^^ answered Maurice, fiercely. 

But in the midst of the enchantment of that golden life,- 
in which these two learned to know each other better than 
many are taught by years under the same roof, dropped the 
long-expected bomb-shell. It was a little thing which 
started it. 

Mrs. Grey, careful housekeeper that she was, could not 
abide the dusty odor of the suit Will Yarrel had left be- 
hind. She sent the girl to hang it out in the clothes-yard. 
And a policeman, who had an accurate description of that 
suit, and was still looking out for the game, took due note. 
Cautious inquiry, and a little fiattery to the servant girl, 
elicited important facts. They had a warning letter from 
Mr. Grey, deploring the disastrous result of his wife's im- 
prudence, and warning them that the clew would be closely 
followed. 

Maurice brought the letter to Wilhelmine, and put it in 
her hands with a face of ‘Such dismay that she did not need 
to read it to know what had happened. 

She turned very pale, and instinctively held out her 
hands to him. 

^‘'Oh, Maurice, save me."^ 


OGTAVIA^S PBIDK 


225 


A gleam of joy leaped into his eyes. 

Wilhelmine/^ said he^ passionately^ there is but one 
way, only one way of safety. You may defy even a guar- 
dian^s power if — if 

He paused, looked at her tenderly and yearningly, and 
exclaimed impetuously: 

^^If only you return my love — if only you will marry me, 
Wilhelmine, I would defy him boldly. 

Marry me, a poor, friendless, nameless girl,^^ stam- 
mered Wilhelmine. Oh, sir, you cannot be so good, so 
sacrificing as that.'’^ 

^Ht will be taking to myself the dearest blessing I could 
ask for fate tx> give me. I love you from the very deptlis 
of my nature, Wilhelmine. I might live with you years 
and years, and I do not, think I should be more sure than 
I am now of your worth and goodness. But it is for your 
sake I hesitate. Are you sure it would not be wrong to give 
yourself to me?'’^ 

She sprang forward, her sweet face aglow with eager trust 
and deepest joy. 

Maurice, Maurice, I would choose you if a row of 
noblemen stood asking for my hand. You are right. This 
close acquaintance, however brief, is often surer than the 
cold intercourse of careless years. 

^‘'Then you will consent?'^ asked Maurice, tremulously. 

As I would hail life and liberty and my dearest happi- 
ness,^^ she answered. 

He clasped her in his arms, and the first kiss was ex- 
changed between them. 

Bless my stars involuntarily exclaimed Mrs. Darner, 
quite upsetting the theory she had tried to establish, that 
when she sat in the window there with her knitting she was 
sure to be asleep. 

They both laughed merrily. 

^^How then,^^ said Maurice, brave with his great happi- 


226 


OCTAVIAS PBIDE. 


ness^ ^^all our trouble is ended;, for I am sure my little wife 
will not be afraid that I shall not be able to keep her in a 
home as cozy and comfortable as this. Certain!}" we need 
not fear want if we will only be content without gran- 
deur. 

I do not ask anything better than this. It is better 
than a palace with George Merle. Oh, Maurice, Heaven 
has drifted the poor waif into a joyful harbor. 

There is no time to lose. I am going to a kind man I 
know, a clergyman; I shall tell him the whole story, and I 
feel confident of his assistance. I can get a license, too, 
without much trouble, and Mrs. Darner will lend us her 
valuable assistance.'’^ 

Anything I or my Johnny can do,. Mr. Maurice.'’^ 

^^If Jane were only here, but I know it is impossible, 
said Wilhelmine, with a sigh. 

Maurice caught her hands in his. 

You are not afraid — you do not repent 
The shining eyes, the sweet face drifted over with happy 
blushes, answered him. 

He came back twice to kiss the tremulous red lips, and 
finally tore himself away with a desperate effort, and hur- 
ried oft’, murmuring: 

Who would believe such a great blessing should come to 
me in so curious a fashion!'^ 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

JANE WEST^’S PKAYER. 

Mathew Merle had evidence before him of abundant in- 
terest when he found his way to the boarding-house keeper 
who had offered to take care of his effects, and the letters 
which might arrive. There were plenty of letters, quite 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


227 


filling the fancy soap-box into which they had been thrust 
as fast as they had arrived. 

Bless your eyes! here they are, every letter, and no- 
body^s touched "’em, beyond the putting them in this nice 
clean place/^ said the burly host, taking out his pipe, and 
staring in the dark, wrinkled face of the old East Indian, 
allers told ^em you'^d turn up in the right time, and sure 
enough here you are. There^s a policeman was down twice 
to know about you. Something to do with a drowned gal. 
Mother Woodstock knows about, it. TheyVe saved the 
clothes, you see. Your niece, wasn^t it? Well, poor soul! 
her troubles are ended. 

^‘^My niece F'’ exclaimed Mathew, his black eyes snapping 
over the letters, the latest of which he had torn open eagerly. 
^‘^What about my niece 

Why, she was missing, and you went off to search for 
her, didn^t you? And they found her drown — ded. You 
haven^t heard about it, I s^pose.^^ 

Found my niece drowned?’^ repeated Mathew Merle. 

When? how? This week, or last ?^^ 

Bless your soul, no. But months ago. And there^s the 
clothes down at the station house now. Mother Woodstock 
identified them, and it^s all recorded there about her death. 
They brought it to suicide, I believe. But it^s down, you 
can read it. Mina Merle, niece of Mathew Merle, lately ar- 
rived from India, identified by the boarding mistress — and 
all that.""^ 

The devil!^^ ejaculated Mathew Merle, laying down even 
the precious letters of his son, and staring fiercely into the 
speakers face. ^AYho^s at the bottom of this plot I should 
like to know?^^ 

The man^s face showed his bewilderment. And in a mo- 
ment more Mathew regained his shrewd self-possession. 

^^Well, well, ril look into it,^^ said he, carelessly, but 


228 


0GTAVIA8 FBIDE. 


it^s a mistake^ let old Mother Woodstock say what she pleases. 
I saw my niece alive and well ten days ago.'’^ 

^^Thak’s a queer go said the man, peering curiously into 
the sphinx face. 

But the old man "was busy over his letters again. He had 
seized upon the one bearing the latest date, and at the bot- 
tom there was a postscript. He raised a shout of joy and 
triumph when he saw it. 

My boy is coming, my George is coming. He sailed 

why, why, it is time he arrived. I may look for him any 
day. Oh, this is good news. I must run down to the owners 
of the Comit, and see whether they have heard from her at 
all.. There, man, drink to the good luck of the good ship 
Comet. 

He tossed a silver coin into the man^s hand, thrust the let- 
ters into his pocket, and went hurrying out, his face aglow, 
his very hands trembling with the joy of the news he had 
found. In the generous glow of his delight, he even gave 
a coin to the thin-faced beggar-girl who held out her timid 
hand toward him. 

George is coming! and I have found out the girTs re- 
treat. I shall work the rest to my mind. Ho one holds the 
clew, no one but Mathew Merle, and I shall have my way, 
against them all. I will keep my eye on Miss Wilhelmine, 
but I will leave her alone until George comes. 

He found the owners of the Comet in good spirits like- 
wise. The ship had been spoken by a steamer having made 
a fine passage to that point. They were looking hourly for 
the signal of her approach. 

Mathew Merle went off in such high glee that he never 
noticed a woman in a plain dark shawl and bonnet, with a 
thick vail over her face, who kept at just such a distance 
from him, let him turn as he might. 

He went down to Mother Woodstock, as he called her, 
and entered bluntly into the object of his visit. 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDR 


229 


^^Look here. Mother Woodstock, what satan^s work have 
you been helping along? Who was that in the slouched 
cap, and high-collared cloak, who coaxed you into giving 
my niece that nice cup of coffee — that coffee you took such 
pains to prepare. And what were you paid for helping 
along that pretended suicide, and the registered death of 
Mina Merle began he, the moment he entered the room 
where the boarding-house keeper sat looking over her newly 
returned basket of laundry linen. 

Bless my heart, Mathew Merle! How you startle a 
body,^^ exclaimed Mrs. Woodstock, so completely taken by 
surprise that she could not control her features and looked 
the blank dismay she felt. Whatever do you mean?^^ 
^^Come, come, no blarney, woman, I know the whole 
story, about the taking of the girl to a ship, and all the rest. 
In fact Fve got the girl home again, and she is here in Eng- 
land, sound and well. Now what does it mean that I find 
her death registered according to your testimony and iden- 
tification?^^ 

The great red hands of Mrs. Woodstock were fumbling 
over the clothes, and she bent her head down to the basket 
to get a moment’s time to think. But that was just what 
Mathew Merle meant she should not do. 

Come, come,'’^ said he. I^m going up with my story 
to the police. I can tell them something about your drugging 
that coffee, and when poor Mina was helpless, taking her 
clothes to put on some poor wretch, and dressing her in 

boy’s garments. I can tell ” 

^‘'Good Heaven, Mathew Merle! you won’t give a body a 
chance to breathe! Why don’t you ask me in civil fashion, 
and maybe then I should tell you everything you want to 
know,” ventured the woman, in an insinuating tone. Sit 
down, won’t you, and I’ll have in a mug of ale.” 

I don’t want the ale, but I am willing to hear the truth. 


230 


0GTAVIA8 PRIDE. 


Just own up, and you will save yourself a deal of trouble, 
now, I can tell you/^ 

Humph! There^s other folks can tell, too. Youhe very 
much worried about your poor Mina now. Time was you 
hadnT too much compassion. 

You wonT make anything by that game. I^m the girhs 
guardian, and if she is stubborn and bad behaved, it^s my 
place to help it. What I want to know of you is who that 
fellow was in the cloak, the fellow with the hatchet face 
and the gray eyes, and I want you to own up that it^s not 
Mina Merle who is buried in the pauperis grave. A sharp 
game somebody meant to play.^^ 

‘^^They wasnT gray eyes at all,^^ said the woman, 
promptly. The eyes were great big blue ones, and looked 
oddly with the whiskers. I donT mind owning up, 
Mathew, if you promise it will be safe for me.^^ 

A good deal safer than the other way. But I want to 
know that chap. You don't remember; the eyes must have 
been gray."^ 

^^[N’o, they were not; Til stake my life on that; and if 
you donT mean to be cross, I can tell you more. He dropped 
a ring here — pulled it out of his pocket somehow — and 
there^s a mark inside of it.^^ 

Let me have it,^^ said Mathew Merle, setting his lip 
grimly. 

She laughed slyly. 

But first I want you to say that I shall get clear of the 
trouble. Ifil take your word for it, Mathew Merle. 

^^Of course you will. And if youfil make a clean breast 
of it, and help me to prove the dead girl was not my niece. 
I wonT mind rewarding you, besides insuring your safety. 

All right. Ask your questions as fast as you like, and 
Ifil answer true— honor bright. 

First, then, who do you think that fellow was in the 
cloak and cap and false whiskers? I know you fora woman 


OCT AVIA S PRIDE. 


231 


as curious as the next, and Til venture to swear you didn^t 
let the matter rest without trying to ferret it out/^ 

Mother Woodstock shook her head, and struck her coarse 
hands together angrily. 

She ‘was a cunning one, now, I tell you. I did the best 
I could, and only found out the ring, and that it was no 
man.^^ 

Xo man!^^ ejaculated the listener, staring at her like one 
demented. ‘'You don^t mean it was a wo man 

“ But I do. That much is pretty clear to me.^^ 

“ Let me see the ring,'’^ said Mathew Merle. 

She thrust her hand into her pocket, drew out a long silk 
purse, once gay with steel beads, but rusted now and 
frayed; slipped the steel rings away, and brought forth a 
heavy* ring, with an agate stone, on which was carved 
what seemed a family crest. 

The keen black eyes snapped with the old basilisk glitter 
as he looked at it. 

“ Well,^^ said he, to himself, “if the ring came from the 
Middletons, they are premature in adopting the crest of 
Wainwaight Slope. It is a high hand somebody is carry- 
ing, that is certain.'’^ 

“ It was a woman, persisted Mother Woodstock. “You 
may start on that. Xow look at the letters inside the 
ring.^^ 

The old man held it up, and read the delicately traced 
characters there: 

“ Octavia, from' her father. 

“ Humph said he, “that is worth taking note of, 
whether anything comes of it or not.^^ 

And then he fell into a deep reverie. But the glad con- 
sciousness that was overflowing and bubbling up within him, 
^n almost boyish excitement, soon dispersed the momentary 
gravity. ^ 

“Well, I am not going to fret over it to-day. But it is 


232 


OGTAVIA'S PRIDE. 


well for you^ Mother Woodstock, that you concluded to tell 
me the truth. Wee’ll get to the bottom of it presently. My 
George is coming, and he will look into it. My son is com- 
ing to England. The vessel is looked for every day.^^ ' 

And having told this with as much proud importance as 
if he had informed her of his inheritance of a throne, he 
took his leave, taking with him the ring bearing the Wain- 
wright crest. 

The vailed woman came out from the pawnbroker's shop 
at the corner a moment after, and followed him as before, 
to the very door- way of the second-rate hotel where he was 
stopping. 

Mathew tramped up the long flights of stairs, and his 
pursuer, after a moment^s hesitation, followed, and as he 
took the key from his pocket, and unlocking the door passed 
in, she came on and looked carefully, not only at the num- 
ber of his door, but at those adjacent. She went back down 
stairs to the room allotted for the boarders^ sitting-room, 
found the housekeeper, and was presently installed in a 
room on the same corridor, which commanded a good view 
of Mathew Merle^s chamber door. 

When she was safely alone in this room the woman drew 
a long, shuddering breath, threw back her vail, and showed 
Jane West^s fac5, but, alas! with a lack of the old freshness 
and cheeriness. There were dark circles under the eyes, 
which shone with their old steadiness, but held also a fever- 
ish brightness. She looked worn and tired, but desperately 
earnest, and^set upon some purpose, from which it was plain 
to see no idle circumstance could turn her aside. She left 
her door ajar, and sat down where she could catch the first 
movement from the room beyond. When the gong sounded 
Mathew Merle was prompt to appear. He locked the door 
again and put the key in his pocket, and then leisurely de- 
scended to the dining-room. 

Jane West came out stealthily and silently, a bunch of 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


233 


keys in her hand, and waited until the lodgers of that floor 
had descended. She did not feel herself a thief dr a med- 
dler when she tried first one and then the other, and she 
was prompt to say, when the chambermaid came around the 
corner, with a pack of towels on her arm: 

^^If you please, can you unlock the door for me? I 
have got the wrong key, and IVe come back for a handker- 
chief.'’'’ 

Unsuspecting, the girl took her own key and opened the 
door. Janets alert eye searched the room, while a prayer 
that the object of her search might be there was in her 
heart. 

She walked straight to the red silk handkerchief bundle 
lying on the bed, opened it hastily, closed it again, and 
walked out. The chambermaid deposited her fresh towel, 
re-locked the door, and went her way. 

Mathew- Merle, after his hearty dinner, came back and 
sat down a little while for a nap. Then he wrote a letter 
making an appointment with the Earl of Chichester. After 
which he went out into the street, bought a small leather 
case, such as could be thrust into his inner pocket, and re- 
turning, he opened the bundle tied in the red silk handker- 
chief, took out carefully the book of red morocco with the 
gilt clasps and the yellow packet of papers, and fitted them 
into the case, and put the case into a pocket made inside his 
woolen shirt. 

One may as well be cautious,^'’ he said. A valuable 
packet like that might be easily taken from me, and there^s 
plenty as are willing to go to any lengths for it.^^ 

And having thus, figuratively speaking, securely locked 
the stable door, Mathew Merle walked down to the office of 
the underwriters, and watched impatiently the signals there 
announcing the approach of inward-bound vessels. 

The Comet was still unheralded, but he saw one of the 
owners there, who informed him that she was sure to be in 


234 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


the river before another morning, as such a ship had been 
seen from below that morning too far otf for her private 
signals to be made out. But it was the Comet, beyond ques-^ 
tioning. 

1^11 go down to see my Lady Mary early in the morn- 
ing, said Mathew Merle, ‘^and Til have plenty of cash on 
hand when I meet George.'’^ 


CHAPTER XXV. 

"'IT IS TOO LATE.^^ 

Lord Ronald Falkner was floating on the sparkling wave 
of a lover^s rapturous bliss, and was too happy himself to 
notice the haggard face of his under’s newly chosen Aus- 
tralian agent, or even to be aware that his mother was 
thinner, and whiter, and weaker than on their first arrival. 
The rose-colored cloud floating around him hid the little 
signs of gathering gloom in the demeanor of his friends. ^ 
But when Octavia showed nervous and restless symptoms, 
and was fitful and capricious in her gay moods, he roused 
himself to search for the cause, alarmed for the health of 
her body, and never suspecting what Felix Thorne knew 
very well, that it was the mind which was diseased. He 
called in Sir James, one day, by what he deemed a very 
skillful stroke of diplomacy, and appealed to him for a con- 
firmation of his theory, that his beautiful betrothed was 
wearing out her strength in persisting to follow up the reck- 
less gayety of the party at Chichester Rookery. 

Octavia was present, and could not escape the physician's 
scrutiny. She was deeply annoyed, but tried to smother 
the feeling, and yielded her wrist to the examination of Sir 
James, the indignant blood leaping angrily through her 
veins, as she said to herself: 


OCTAVIAB PRIDE. 


235 


^^This is unpardonably stupid in Lord Konald. If he 
had half the intuitive perception of Felix, he would have 
seen that this would disturb and vex me/^ 

A feverish pulse, certainly, said the famous physician, 

and I detect symptoms of nervous and sleepless nights. 
The young lady would certainly be much improved by 
rest and quiet. 

'^Eest and quiet, then, she must have, exclaimed the 
adoring lover. ^^You will not rebel, I am sure, dearest 
Octavia, remembering that the precious trust of looking 
after you devolves upon me, since your father is himself an 
invalid. You' must relinquish these excursions and fetes, 
and the drawing-room nonsense of evenings; but you shall 
not be left to grow melancholy. I shall devote my whole 
time to you. I will take you to ride; I will read to you. 
You shall have a boudoir fitted up especially for your 
seclusion, and I shall ward away all intruders. No one, 
but your father and myself, shall be allowed to enter. Ah ! 
what more can one desire? It will be an elysium.'*^ 

Outwardly Octavia smiled, but within there fell a great 
horror. 

To be shut out from the excitement which alone kept her 
spirits from sinking into such a dead gloom of foreboding 
and dread; to be compelled to find all her entertainment 
in the society of her noble lover, whose presence had already 
grown tiresome, almost intolerable, from which she was 
thankful to escape — it was a sorry prospect for a spirit 
already fretted and chafed. 

Again the thought rose, and was bitterly received: 

Felix understands me better. He knows there is no 
elysium for me, with Lord Ronald for my sole com- 
panion.^^ 

And a deeper stab came behind: 

This is only the approach of the realization of my pride 


m 


OCTAVIA^S PHIVE. 


and ambition. What will it be when I am fettered to his 
side for life?'’^ 

Yes! Amid the triumph and flattery of her envied posi- 
tion as the betrothed of Lord Eonald, for all her father^s 
deep joy and proud hopes, Octavia was miserable. And it 
was not the pang of alarm lest the lawsuit should be 
renewed; it was not the fear of losing Wainwright Slope, 
nor the dread of any exposure which might come Avhich 
pressed such sharp pain into her heart. She tried to cheat 
herself into believing it, but there were times when the 
truth looked at her unvailed by any sophistry. Her heart 
had cried out for its true nourishment, and for bread she 
had given it a stone. It did not ease the smart that the 
stone was no common pebble, but a rose-diamond set in 
purest gold. 

She saw the cold, stelm face of Felix, growing every day 
more haggard and ghastly, with a wild terror that would 
not be coaxed into quiet. Yet still she persisted stubbornly 
upon the appointed course. She could not descend to a 
lowly position. She, Octavia Wainwright, be willing to 
marry her fathers secretary, the earFs business agent! ISTo, 
she must shine before the world as Lady Falkner. Let it 
cost what secret pain it might, the brilliant destiny must be 
accomplished. And so Octavia* smiled, and allowed Lord 
Eonald to withdraw her, with his lover solicitude, from the 
only scene which made her life there endurable. 

She was petted and caressed, and overwhelmed with his 
attentions, until she grew to shudder at the very sound of 
his coming footsteps, to shrink from the slightest touch of 
his hand. 

Lord Eonald was singularly unfortnate in his method of 
bestowing attentions, and had none of that fine, subtle per- 
ception and tact which would have shown Felix so unerr- 
ingly, just when to leave her alone, and when to soothe and 
cheer by his companionship. To be sure if Octavia had 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


237 


only loved him sincerely, she would not have wearied of his 
companionship, but such constant presence is the test of 
true love, and Miss AYainwright was found ^wanting. 

General Wainwright had paid his congratulatory visit to 
Lady Mary, and the' pair had enjoyed it vastly, their 
parental anxieties laid aside, picturing the happy future of 
their children. It was mutually understood that the sooner 
the wedding came, the better suited the pair would be. And 
when General Wainwright received a letter from Screw & 
Scattergood hinting that he must be prepared for a renewal 
of this suit, the latter had no hesitation in paying a second 
visit to Lady Mary, and on the plea of the uncertainty of 
his own health, gently insinuating that it was his ardent 
desire to see the marriage take place at once. 

Lady Mary was equally earnest, and when Lord Konald 
was consulted they obtained a willing and joyful consent. 
The day was appointed by the two before Octavia was con- 
sulted, Lord Eonald naturally taking it for granted that her 
father expressed the wishes of his beautiful betrothed. She 
heard them calmly when the matter was explained to her, 
and smiled a gracious acquiescence, but immediately after 
hurried away out of sight into the first retreat she could 
find, which chanced to be a little music-room opening be- 
tween the library and the private parlor of the countess. 
There she sat down deadly cold, shivering from head to 
foot. 

What had she consented to do? Aside from with* her 
own hand setting the seal of her life-long wretchedness, she 
had voluntarily agreed to assist in an imposition, a fraud — 
what else could it be called? Theearhand Lord Konald be- 
lieved her. the heiress of Wainwright Slope and its generous 
revenue. As such they were willing to lift her to their 
higher stations. This hurried marriage was her father^s 
work, to secure her against any retraction on their part, 
when the claim of the Middletons could no longer be con- 


238 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


cealed. Her cold cheek burned hotly as she tried to pic- 
ture what the world would say. And then she reassured 
herself it would not make any difference with Lord Eonald. 
She had confidence enough in the depth of his affection to 
know that he would gladly take her portionless as with the 
generous Wainwriglit dower. But there was the Earl of 
Chichester and Lady Mary; it was a very different affair 
with them! If she could only have seen into Lady Mary^s 
chamber, where that lady sat clasping her thin hands over 
her throbbing heart, murmuring: 

Oh, I feel like a thief and a coward every time I look 
into the generahs face. What will they think of me if the 
worst comes, and they learn that I knew all the time, and 
yet never told them — allowed Octavia to sacrifice her bril- 
liant prospects? Heaven forgive my selfishness, but for 
poor Eonald^s sake I must persist! And, after all, what 
need she care for the empty title if she loves Eonald? There 
is no great wrong certainly. 

Thus the two parties, mutually consenting to a cheat, 
consoled their fears, and cajoled the stings of conscience. 

Octavia had but one more trial. As she sat there, white 
and shivering in the music-room, the library door unclosed, 
and Felix Thorne came in slowly. 

Did he know she was there? He gave no start of sur- 
prise, only a satirical smile curled his lip, and a steely gleam 
in his gray eye betrayed his secret anger. 

^^Ah, Miss Wainwright! So I am in season to give early 
congratulations. There is quite a buzz of excitement in 
the household over the delightful news just proclaimed. I 
congratulate Lord Eonald. He will have a bride who will 
wear his coronet with queenly grace. 

.Octavia was not unmindful of the disdainful anger of the 
tone. Her pride helped her to gather up her faculties, and 
face him without betraying all the weakness of her heart. 

Thank you; I have no doubt Lord Eonald shares your 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


239 


opinion/^ she said, brushing the lace ruffles of her sleeve 
with persevering attention. 

Such a look on her part never failed to rouse all the wrath 
of Felixes fierce nature. His sallow cheek grew hot, his 
eyes flashed^ the thin lips curled angrily. 

Octavia knew it, and secretly trembled. How the lightest 
gesture of that man could sway her proud spirit, while Lord 
Konald^s most passionate love vow wearied and sickened 
her. 

^^Miss Wainwright,^^ said he, ^^be fierce, and proud, and 
cold, and hanghty, as you like. You know very well a word 
from me to the earl can dash you down from this pinnacle 
of your success and triumph. Why should I hesitate to 
speak it — I, who lose nothing, and gain all 

Her white fingers still played carelessly with the dainty 
ruffles. She assumed an air of languid indifference which 
nearly drove him frantic. 

don^t know why you should, Mr. Thorne; people are 
usually inclined to act for their own interest.''^ 

For a moment his anger rendered him speechless; then 
he burst forth in a perfect tirade of accusation, . in the very 
midst of which he stopped, and said, in a voice thrilled 
with the most piteous entreaty and tenderness: 

^‘'Octavia! Octavia! my proud, high-spirited bird, meant 
only to soar in congenial skies, beware how you allow them 
to thrust you into a cage, although that cage be a gilded 
palace! Oh, think what it is you risk, what a life you 
choose! After all, is rank so much? Think of it — a mean- 
ingless title, that does not show in .a man^s looks or acts, 
that is no part of himself — shall that weigh against a tender 
heart which holds your allegiance — you cannot, you dare 
not deny it, Octavia. A love so pure, so idolatrous as mine 
could not fail to win return. You love me, and you marry 
Lord Eonald! Octavia! Octavia! have mercy upon your- 
self, if you have none for me ! ^ 


240 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


It is no choice between ease and poverty. If it were^ 
one could never blame you. But you know very well my 
wife will lack no comforts of life, if she fails to win its 
elegancies. It is only the temptation of rank and power. 
Believe me — oh, believe me! you will find it a poor and 
worthless thing! Pause, before it is wholly too late! Listen 
to me V’ 

She had not stirred her eyes from the face which in its 
pale passion seemed to empty upon her the very soul itself. 
Scarcely had she breathed, only her fingers had fallen away 
from the filmy lace, and fastened with an iron grip on the 
massive gold circlet on her finger, in which was blazing the 
rare rose diamond of the Falkners. 

A strong struggle shook her as with an ague. 

Felix, awed, and fairly faint with suspense, watched her 
silently. 

She rose at last, whiter than the statue beyond, and 
almost as rigid looking. 

^^It is too late now, Felix. I shall marry Lord Ronald !^^ 
said Octavia, and went out slowly, as if the movement of 
her limbs required all her strength. 

She heard, with dull ears, the malediction he filing after 
her. 

Two hours afterward he saw her in the drawing-room, 
receiving with graceful ease the cordial congratulations and 
gay badinage of the company. 

She was to remain only a week longer at Chichester 
Rookery, and the seclusion having been broken into. Lord 
Ronald merrily agreed that they should make one couple of 
a famous yachting expedition which had occupied the 
minds of the guests for a week past. When that was over 
Miss Wainwright was to return to her own home, the 
preparations for a magnificent trousseau and wedding fes- 
tival we^e to be hurried up, and Lord and Lady Falkner 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


241 


were to start, in just six weeks, upon their bridal tour to 
Germany. 


CHAPTER XXVL 

A SIMPLE BE I. DAL. 

Just off a quiet Surrey village, in the little chapel, which 
nestled under a noble group of walnuts at the corner of the 
rustic grave-yard, there was a pretty picture one dusky eve, 
though there were few witnesses to admire it. The tall 
turrets of Wainwright Slope were visible from the porch 
steps, and the youthful bridegroom paused a moment and 
looked over to them, with a vague consciousness that they 
were somehow interested in the ceremony so soon to take 
place before the humble altar of the chaiiel. 

The fair young bride glanced neither to the right nor 
left, and only once lifted those wistful brown eyes, and 
then dropped them shyly, meeting the proud and happy 
smile of her lover. 

The old minister was waiting .for them at the altar, and 
Mrs. Darner and her son were there, and so was some one 
else, unexpectedly even to the bridegroom. Mr. John 
Middleton stepped out from the shadows and silently gave 
his arm to the bride to lead her up the aisle. 

Maurice gave him a grateful glance, and smiled, remem- 
bering the upbraiding he had received that very morning 
when he confided to his astonished parent the news of his 
proposed marriage that evening with an unknown and 
probably friendless girl. But Mr. John Middleton^s heart 
secretly yearned over this youngest born, and could not be 
unforgiving even to what he called his follies. He came 
secretly to take a look at the bride, and something in the 
sweet young face had taken fast hold upon his sympathy. 


/ 


242 OCTAVIAb PRIDE. 

So^ acting upon the sudden impulse^ he had stepped for- 
ward and offered his arm. Wilhelmine guessed by the look 
which flashed over the face of Maurice who it was, and, 
with a deeper blush, surrendered herself to his keeping. 

And so Mr. John Middleton gave away the bride. The 
pretty picture was when the pair stood bending down, as 
flowers bend beneath their wealth of dew, with shining, 
happy faces, while the good old clergyman, with extended 
arms, gave them his final benediction. 

There was no longer any fear or terror in Wilhelmine^s 
heart; the brown eyes shone clear and steady, luminous 
with trustful happiness. Maurice also was glad, and con- 
fident, and proud. What was the world^s laugh or sneer, 
its grandeur and pomp, to them? Two hearts, innocent 
and trustful, brimming over with a pure and truthful 
love; their royal heritage was already with them; no out- 
ward circumstance could abate one jot of its glory or 
beauty; no fear of exposure, no threatening revelation could 
mar its perfect joy. 

Out from the little ring of light which belted the altar, 
out from the solemn and heartfelt benediction of the good 
old minister, from the unpolished but sincere congratula- 
tions of Mrs. Darner and her son, and followed by even 
John Middleton^s unconscious blessing, the youthful pair 
passed on, to meet the tender smile of a new moon be^^ming 
down lovingly full upon the chapel door. 

Why, Maurice, there is a new moon! How beautiful it 
is,^^ whispered Wilhelmine. 

^^Let us accept it as a good omen, blow, my darling, 
we may defy Mathew Merle. You need search no longer 
for a name. Does it frighten you to know that it is Mrs. 
Maurice Middleton now? Such a young thing for a wife, 
my pretty Will V 

^^No, I am not afraid now,^^ she answered, ^^not afraid 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


243 


of anything in the world, but of losing you, or your love, 
Maurice. 

And the pair passed on. Such a simple bridal. No satin 
or point lace; no orange blossoms or diamonds; no crowd of 
waiting carriages, and admiring bride-maids, and curious 
friends. How the crowd of modistes, and milliners, and 
jewelers, and innumerable other artistes, busy over the ap- 
proaching great event, which was to transform the heiress 
of Wainwright Slope into the lady of Falkner Castle, would 
have sneered and scouted. 

But the softest starlight trembled a loving radiance from 
the blue above, and the silver crescent smiled auspiciously; 
and as they passed through the overhanging shrubbery, the 
playful boughs showered upon them a sparkling cascade of 
nature^s pearls and diamonds, and best and most beautiful 
of all, within the two joyful hearts reigned perfect love and 
trust. 

^"We will have our bridal tour as well as the best of 
them,^^ said Maurice. I am going to show you London in 
a most romantic guise. And then we will take a trip to 
Scotland.'’’’ 

^‘'Oh, can we find" Jane West?” said Wilhelmine, eagerly. 

If hunting over London, and sending to the address 
she gave will do it, certainly we can.” 

That will be the crowning charm,” sighed Wilhelmine, 
in the fullness of content. 

And I do not mean it shall be any commonplace journey 
to London. I am going to get the cozy pony carriage at 
the corner, and a driver, and take an out-of-the-way, zigzag 
course through the charming country between this and 
London.” 

Like one of our dark journeys in India, only with a 
vast difference in the likeness,” said the bride, with a smile. 

It will be the most delightful thing in the world, Maurice, 
unless 


244 


00TAVIA8 PRIDE. 


Well, give me the benefit of the doubt/^ 

Unless we should chance to meet Mathew Merle. I am 
not afraid now. But I should be sorry to spoil this journey 
by any angry strife.'’^ 

It is hardly likely we shall see any one we know/^ re- 
turned Maurice, though I mean to take Felix on the 
way.^" 

And the next day, followed by Mrs. DameFs blessing, and 
an old slipper fiung after them for luck, ' as she explained to' 
her son, the youthful couple set out for London. Half an 
hour after they had gone, two of Mathew Merle^s agents 
came to Mrs. HameFs door in hot haste, with the legal au- 
thority for taking one Mina Merle in charge, and taking her 
to London to her uncle. 

Mrs. Darner quietly informed them that the young lady 
had already gone. Their close inquiries elicited a descrip- 
tion of the carriage, and the young womaiFs companion, 
but no hint of the recent m'arriage. And then the pair 
posted off in hot pursuit. 

4 : ^ ^ 

On that same morning there had been a bustle of excite- 
ment in the court-yard of the great mansion at Chichester 
Eookery, as the gay party set out to ride some dozen 
miles to the landing-place, where the famous yacht, which 
the earTs friend. Lord Dexter, an ardent and accomplished 
boatman, had loaned for their accommodation, lay moored. 
They had made preparations for several days^ absence, and 
went off in the highest spirits. Even Octavia had bright- 
ened into something like genuine enjoyment; and as the el- 
derly people, who were to be left behind, stood on a balcony 
watching them off, Octavia took off her cashmere scarf 
and waved it gayly in answer to the fiuttering lace hand- 
kerchief of Lady Mary, and the repeated hand adieus of 
her father. 


OCTAVIA'S PillDE. 


245 


Lord Eonald^ who was driving the pretty phaeton^ also 
turned a bright face backward, and nodded a gay adieu. 

Lady Mary turned to the general with a mingling sigh 
and smile. Of all the gay and happy faces, only those two 
had riveted her attention, or his. 

‘^^They make such a fine couple, general,^'’ she said; ^‘1 
think we may be pardoned for our fondness and pride. 

^^They do, indeed, your ladyship. One must search very 
far to find their equal, answered the old general, brushing 
off a drop of mist from his eyelash. He had had his own 
anxiety for a little time back. His daughter's best efforts 
had not concealed from him the fitfulness of her moods, 
and the secret trouble which wore upon her. It was such 
a relief to find her so bright and gay again. 

After all, I have been mistaken,^" he thought. ^^It 
was probably some little woman^’s vagary, some misunder- 
standing between lovers, which is made up now. I am sure 
I could not ask to see her look more smiling and happy. 
And the wedding will come off before that suit can be 
brought on, and these noble relations will carry great 
weight at the trial, and they will help me to fight off 
those beggarly Middletons. She will be safe, at all events, 
my peerless Oct avia; and for this old hulk of mine, it 
does not matter — the grave will claim it before long.'’^ 

And with another hastily wiped tear, he turned away. 
Lady Mary, however, still bent over the balcony, follow- 
ing eagerly the carriage as it swept around the curve of 
the avenue, and obtaining the latest possible glimpse of 
the straight, graceful shoulders and erect head of the young 
lord. 

There said she, lightly, I have had the last look.^^ 
Oh,^^ exclaimed the countess, ^‘^how could you? DonT 
you know it is unlucky to watch anybody away?^^ 

Indeed I have ceased to be interested in omens about 
myself,"^ replied Lady Mary. 


246 


OCTAVIAS FBIDE. 


But the ill luck is not for the watcher/^ persisted the 
sister-in-law. ^^It is for those who are taking leave. Oh, 
I am so sorry about it.^^ 

Nonsense said the earl, impatiently, seeing the swift 
look of apprehension crossing the generahs face, ^^we shall 
have them all back day after to-morrow to laugh at such 
absurdity.^- 

He put his arm around his sister, and playfully led her 
into the house, back to her own private apartments. 

The countess is going with the general for an airing, 
he whispered. All these young busybodies are out of our 
way. We will have this odious matter settled at once, 
Mary. I wrote for that man to come down to-day with the 
papers. 

She gave his hand a grateful pressure. To have those 
papers in her hand, and to see Konald safely married — ah, 
what a rest the very thought was! It seemed to her that 
when the numb pain should leave her heart, the tight 
pressure be removed from her brain, when these happened — 
that somehow all the perplexity and crookedness, even the 
wrong-doing, would be made right presently. A sort of 
ecstatic calmness, that was yet full of solemn awe, fell upon 
her. As though from out the shadowy mysteries of the 
i;nseen world a voice had spoken, and bade her to be com- 
forted and fear nothing — a voice whose language was un- 
familiar, and yet whose tones were well remembered and 
beloved — she marveled herself at the quiet and serenity 
with which she waited an hour, two hours beyond the ap- 
pointed time, while the earl was tearing furiously to and 
fro, muttering his fierce anathemas against the delinquent, 
and declaring a dozen times that the man had cheated them 
and was playing them false. 

Two hours and a half beyond the appointed hour Mathew 
Merle made his appearance, and the earl, who hurried him 
up to his sister^s sitting-room, knew by his looks that some 


OCTAVIA'S PHIDE. 


247 


great agitation overmastered him; therefore refrained from 
the angry reprimand he intended. 

^‘1 have kept you waiting/* said Mathew Merle, ^^but 
it wasn^t my own fault. I was waylaid by an officer of 
the law and a couple of simpletons who fancied I intended 
to escape from a summons to attend a trial as witness 
when the assizes come on. They made me give down some 
written testimony. Much good may it do them!^^ 

^^Yes, we have waited. I almost believed you would 
fail to come/^ said the earl. 

^^Yo fear of that. I was hindered the last hour by 
good news of my own. People like me have feelings, 
you know, almost as keen and sensitive as those of lords 
and ladies. And there^s a ship just been signaled coming 
up the river. The Comet, from the Indies — and she has 
a right costly cargo, I'll he bound; but it is all of little 
account to me, in comparison with the passenger she 
brings. My son, you see, an only child, and I havenT 
seen him since I left Calcutta myself. And that reminds 
me I haveiiT much time to waste, for I must get back 
and be on the wharf to give him the first greeting. My 
son George, your ladyship, and he turned toward the 
countess with a proud smile, ^^you will understand some- 
thing what I feel, who are taking so much pains to secure 
your own soffis position. 

The haughty spirit of the earl chafed at this familiarity 
of speech ; but he bit his lip, and kept silence. It was the 
countess who spoke first. 

^MVe understand that you have brought those papers. Of 
course we must see that they are genuine before we hand 
you such a sum as you demand. One half the money, I 
understand from the earl, has been paid to your order al- 
ready, to prove the good faith on our side. Will you show 
me the papers now?^" 




248 . OCTAVIAS JPRIDE. 

Mathew Merle glanced a moment with keen cnriosity into 
the calm^ white face. 

Certainly, certainly, your ladyship. 

And he put his hand into that inner pocket, and drew 
forth the new leather case which held the fatal papers, and 
laid it on the table, opening it slowly, and laying out first 
the book bound in red Morocco, with dingy gilt clasps, and 
then the packet. 

The countess followed every movement with her attentive 
eyes. At sight of the book a little cry escaped her, and she 
clasped her hands quickly across her heart. 

Oh, the years between since her own hand, in girlish glee, 
gave such a book to Arthur Morley! The sight of it was 
like a ghost rising out of a grave to confront her. 

The earl took it, and brought it silently and put it into 
her lap. She shuddered, and then silently opened the 
covers. 

At that moment a servant came to the door. 

K woman is down stairs. Lady Mary, who is very anx- 
ious to see your ladyship at once.'’^ 

I told you, Eobert, we were not to be disturbed by any 
one,^^ said the earl, indignantly. 

The young woman is very set about it, your lordship, 
and wouldnT hear what I said.'’^ 

We cannot see any one, Eobert. If her business is of 
importance to her, she must wait,^^ added the earl, deci- 
dedly. 

The man withdrew. 

Lady Mary had not seemed aware of anything going on 
in the room ; but suddenly she started to her feet,' and ex- 
claimed: 

‘^^Why, why, this is an imposition! It^s not what I 
thought it. The first page is scribbled with meaningless 
phrases, and the rest is blank. 

She held the book up, and showed that, while the outside 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


249 


had been made to look old and worn, inside it was fresh, 
and beyond the first leaf blank pages. 

Mathew Merle stared at her in an amazement which could 
hardly have been counterfeited. 

It was written through to the very last leaf, and some 
sheets of note-paper fitted in besides. What have you done 
to it?^^ demanded he. 

She held it out to him, having recovered her composure, 
with a quiet dignity, which* rebuked his presumption. 

And the papers exclaimed the earl, in dismay. 

Mathew Merle tore open the package, scattering them over 
the table. They were, most of them, simply folded scraps 
of discolored paper. 

The fatal proofs which were df such priceless value to his 
noble companions — which were to yield such a golden har- 
vest for Mathew Merle to lay at the feet of his newly arrived 
son, were — not there! 

Villain exclaimed the earl. You have been playing 
a bold game, and we have been infamously duped. 

Hush!’^ cried the countess, turning her ashy face toward 
him. I hear General Wain wright^s voice. They have re- 
turned from the drive, and he is coming here.^^ 

The earl turned his head to listen. 

She was right. 

General Wainwright came directly to the door, and 
knocked, speaking outside as he did so: 

My dear Lady Mary, I have come to crave your mercy. 
Here is a young woman down stairs in great distress, be- 
cause you refuse to see her. She appealed to me, and — and 
— you know I^m an old soldier. How could I refuse a youhg 
woman^s petition? Tve made bold to bring her to your 
door. If you will only be gracious, and open it.^'’ 

There is no alternative now,^^ said Lady Mary, softly, 
and rose herself and opened the door. 

Thank you — thank you! I told the young woman you 


250 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


were always gracious/^ said the general, stepping forward 
with that gallant, punctilious politeness of his, and ushering 
in, to the astonished eyes of two at least of the party present, 
the pale, eager, but still steady face, of — Jane West. 


CHAPTBE XXVII. 

AKTHUK MORLEY^S DAUGHTER. 

Jane West sprang forward and seized the hand of the as- 
tonished Lady Mary. 

‘^1 have come in season. You have made no concessions 
to that man 

And she pointed, while her gray eye flashed and her lip 
curled scornfully, toward Mathew Merle, who glared upon 
her in almost insane anger. 

answered Lady Mary, glancing uneasily from the 
earl to General Wainwright. 

Thank Heaven that my task may be yet faithfully dis- 
charged. Here, madam, is the legacy of Doctor Morley^ 
uninjured, safe from any harm.^^ 

She put into the lady^s outstretched hands the genuine 
book in the faded morocco binding, with the clasp, whose 
gilding had been sadly tarnished by changes of climate, 
and rolling years, and salt-sea airs. She gave also the packet 
of pa]-ers — fatal, fatal papers, which had power to work 
such strange transformations — and put herself, with her 
steady, self-reliant face, between them and Mathew Merle^s 
vengeful looks. 

How dared you!^^ cried the old man between his clenched 
teeth. 

Jane smiled upon him scornfully. 

brought them out of many dangers, for my dead mas- 


OCTAVIA'S PRIDE. 


261 


ter^s sake. Did you think I should be balked by a thief s 
tampering fingers?^'’ 

The earl bad changed as many colors as a schoolboy de- 
tected in an unlawful act. He tried to draw aside the be- 
wildered old general. 

Come, my dear General Wainwright, let us leave the 
ladies to settle their odd little affair.''^ 

‘‘^But is it safe to leave that man here?^^ stammered the 
general, pointing where Mathew Merle, in all his passion of 
anger and defeat, glared upon them. 

I will attend to him myself, if you will retire 

Mathew Merle, quite beside himself with rage, leaped for- 
ward and laid his claw-like hand on the soft, womanish one 
of the general — on whose finger glittered the great seal ring, 
with the coat of arms, of the master of Wainwright Slope. 

Hold! you need not think you have done with me yet — 
not one of you. So this is General Wainwright. I happen 
to know a few matters of interest to the gentleman. You 
have not introduced us yet, my lord. I am Mathew Merle, 
sir — Mathew Merle, of Calcutta. I am seventy-one years 
old, but my faculties are well preserved, as you see, and I 
have a most vivid remembrance of my youthful days. I 
was only a lad, to be sure, but I have very fresh recollec- 
tions of a relative of yours. Arthur Wainwright was a 
boon companion of my fathers, and then there was his 
cousin Gustavus. I can remember every item of our jour- 
ney to Australia to he present at his wedding. Bless me! 
when I think of it, it is hut yesterday. After all, India is 
a better climate than England. I appeal to the company if 
they would believe General Wainwright here only fifty-eight 
years old, or that I could be thirteen years his elder. 

He looked around him in sardonic triumph, getting 
through this long speech without interruption, because, 
however angry, the earl was struck dumb by the shivering 
terror which crept over the generaFs face. 


252 


OGTAVIA^S PBIDK 


Ahem, I should like to talk with you, sir,^^ said Gen- 
eral Wainwright, making a great effort to speak in an in- 
different tone. Your reminiscences will he of much in- 
terest to me. Will you come to my private sitting-room?^^ 

^^ISTo,^^ answered Mathew Merle, hotly. ‘^1 will talk in 
private with none of you; what I have to say shall be before 
you all, and I can promise you it does not lack interest. 

Lady Mary had thrust the papers into her pocket, and sat 
with her hands across the diary, pressing it against her 
heart, looking around almost like one without knowledge 
of what was taking place before her eyes. She had read the 
first page with its faded lines; the second, in her own hand- 
writing, of a girlish frolic, and this present to Arthur Mor- 
ley, and his promise to fill it out accurately with the story 
of his life. Oh, the years, the wrongs, the woes between that 
day toward which it carried her back, as if with the fresh- 
ness of yestefday, and this, wherein she sat there, a faded, 
sickly, care-worn woman, and he was lying in his far-off 
Australian grave! No wonder, with all this past pressing 
upon her, her eyes were dazed, and her ear dulled to what 
was passing in the room befoi*e her. 

^‘1 think, noble earl, this General Wainwright is soon to 
be connected with your family, went on Mathew Merle, 
sneeringly, in his high, shrill voice. Report says that Lord 
Ronald Falkner is soon to lead to the hymeneal altar the 
beautiful and wealthy heiress of Wainwright Slope. Does 
report speak truth 

It does,'’^ answered the earl, indignantly, but what is 
that to you?"'’ 

^^Lord Ronald Ealkner and the heiress of Wainwright 
Slope!"" repeated Mathew Merle, and burst into a long, loud 
laugh, whose insolence made the earl turn white with rage, 
and lay his hand on the bell-rope. 

Ring away,"" said Mathew, scornfully, if you like to 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


253 


have your servants hear what I. can tell. It does not mat- 
ter, though. They will know it before long.'’^ 

The earhs hand fell away. But he looked as if a few 
more words would provoke him to hurl the insolent intruder 
frpm the window. 

Vile impostor P said he, ^^take yourself away before I 
forget myself in anger at your impudence. 

Impostor! impostor P repeated Mathew Merle, with 
mocking emphasis. Thank you for the word. I was just 
looking for one ’to express my ideas of this noble and high- 
bred couple, Ronald, Lord of Falkner Castle, and Octavia, 
heiress of Wainwright Slope. A precious pair of impostors, 
indeed! Thank you, noble earl, for the fitting word.^^ 

And again he laughed long, and loud, and contemptuously. 
Lady Mary^s ear was opened now, the mother^s ear keen 
to catch the first sound of danger for her child. She sprang 
up with a little appealing cry. The general held up a 
threatening hand. 

All in vain; Mathew Merle was determined to have hisre-^ 
venge for his baffled scheme. 

Ronald, son of a woman who was legally married to one 
Arthur Morley, who died since Lord Falkner, only this very 
year. What a strong claim he possesses — this son of a mar- 
riage whose bride had already a husband !^^ 

Lady Mary saw the wild alarm on the generaFs face, and 
fell back heavily into her chair. 

Octavia,^^ went on the inexorable voice, daughter of a 
man who has usurped anotheFs rightful claim, daughter of 
the second son, while the elder son^s heirs are alive and 
legally sustaihed in their claim to oust him from his place. 
What a genuine heiress for Wainwright Slope! Indeed, my 
noble earl, I thank you for your word; what a pair of im- 
postors, indeed !^^ 

General Wainwright, is this true?^"^ exclaimed the earl. 


254 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


The poor old generahs face was sufhcient answer^ but he 
plucked up courage to turn to Lady Mary drearily. 

^^And Konald is not Lord Falconer at all 

Mathew Merle laughed loud and triumphantly. 

Lady Mary covered her haggard face from sight! 

have not done with you yet, my lady, nor with you, 
Geoffrey Wainwright. I said the heirs of the second son 
had a better right than this Octavia, or her father. And so 
they have. But there is a stronger claim behind. Geoffrey^s 
daughter cannot have Wainwright Slope, nor can Gustavus^ 
sons, though he was lawfully married, and the Middletons 
are his legal heirs. For Arthur Wainwright was left the 
true heir by the codicil of old Hughes will. And Arthur 
Wainwright was married befoie he left England. The boy 
who followed him everywhere was his wife; and her son, 
Arthur Morley by name, came to England, all unknowing 
of the rich estate which was his right. Arthur Morley mar- 
ried secretly, but legally, the fair Lady Mary yonder. He 
was a fool to be so thrust aside, when all those proofs were 
there to right him. But that is neither here nor there. 
There was a child! What an innocent visit that was of 
yours, my immaculate Lady Mary, when you went off to the 
dear school-friend in Wales, and staid so many weeks !^^ 
Lady Mary started up, her eyes fairly blazing. 

Be still, man! Meddle not with misery too sacred for 
your sneering lips!^^ 

Arthur Morley started with the child, having full faith 
that the fair young mother would keep her solemn promise, 
and come after him. You best know he bore the news 
which came instead, that she had risked her fair neck to a 
halter, and boldly married Lord Falkner. The child was 
put to a careful nurse, with a birthmark on its arm which 
prevented any fear of deception. But, alas! it died. Did 
it not, my lady?^^ 

The frozen -looking lips of Lady Mary murmured, stiffly: 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


255 


Are you a fiend, that you delight in my torment? Ar- 
thur sent me the letter of the nurse telling of his death/^ 

The letter was a forgery/^ said Mathew Merle, coolly. 

I wrote it myself. The child did not die. I carried it to 
India. I have cared for her, with due regard to this splen- 
did development. The legal heiress of Arthur Morley, who 
was adopted into one Aaron Morley^s family, is the true 
owner of Wainwright Slope. She is alive, and in Eng- 
land. 

^^Oh, Will — my sweet little Will V’ cried out Jane West. 
^^E’ow it is all explained.'’^ 

Mathew Merle frowned upon her. 

But Lady Mary had rushed toward him, her pallid face 
glowing as with inward flame. 

Alive! Arthur^s child and mine — alive! Show her to 
me! Bring her to her wretched mother !^^ 

^^^^"ot yet, my lady. The secret is mine. The girl is 
safely in my keeping. I am her appointed guardian. I 
left strict directions for her to be brought to London, in 
readiness for the arrival of the good ship Comet. She will 
be married to my son in the morning, and I shall proceed 
at once to establish her rights. But, mind you, the proofs 
of this strange story, though I have taken care to establish 
them beyond the possibility of doubt, are all in my possession 
— every one.^^ , 

Proofs repeated Lady Mary, with feverish impatience, 

I ask for no proofs. I want my child. Arthur Morley^s 
child and mine!^^ 

‘^1 know her. I will find her for cried out Jane 

West, rushing forward, the tears pouring from her pitying 
eyes. Do not believe him. She is not in his power. She 
is safe. Oh, no wonder I loved her so! She is Doctor Mor- 
ley^s daughter. 

Mathew Merle flamed an ireful glance upon her. 

You will not meddle in this affair again, young woman. 


256 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


I tell you I have had a man watching her for ten days hack. 
I know how that silly youngster took her away, but my men 
went for her this morning/^ 

‘^1 do not believe it!""" exclaimed Jane, indignantly. 

And this girl, this heroine of such a strange story, has 
proofs to thrust out my beautiful Octavia!''^ cried the poor 
general, shading his face with his shaking hands. ^^Oh, it 
is cruel! wicked! What will become of my Octavia?^^ 

She must niarry Lord Eonald Falkner,^^ sneered Mathew 
Merle. You have been congratulating yourself upon the 
match. I took a look into the matter to see who ought to 
have the estate of the Falkners, and I find the title is ex- 
tinct; but there ought to be issue from one of the daughters 
on the other branch, one Anne Thurston, who can claim the 
estate. She made a low marriage, and went ofi to England, 
and there I lost her.^^ 

^^Ann Thurston!'’^ exclaimed Jane West, involuntarily, 
and stopped abruptly. 

^^Do you know about her?” demanded Mathew Merle, 
sharply. 

‘'^It was my mothers name, and she married Robert 
West,” faltered Jane, her head all in a whirl, trying to 
guess if Doctor Morley suspected anything of this when he 
took such pains to look up the proofs of her parentage. 

Your mother! Well, I canT say F’m particularly pleased 
to know that I have brought you to the knowledge of this 
good fortune. I owe you no good will, with your mar- 
plots.” 

There was a general hush, and natural dismay in the 
room, and the looks and gestures of all would have served 
an artist for a startling picture. 

Amid the silence, a servant knocked from outside, and 
said, with a deprecating voice: 

Indeed, my lord, I hope you wonT blame me, but things 
come so queerly to-day, There^s a young gentleman and 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


257 


lady below who called to see Mr. Felix Thorne, and when I 
told them he had gone with the yachting expedition they 
started away in their carriage, but all at once the young 
lady cried out that she saw a face at the window of a friend 
they were trying to find; and she will give me no peace 
until I come and inquire if one Jane West is not here.'’^ 

^^Let me go to her!’"’ screamed out Jane West, in a per- 
fect paroxysm of delight and expectation. I know who 
it is! oh, I know who it is!^^ 

And she rushed down the great staircase, out of the broad 
corridor into the hall, and seized upon pretty AVilhelmine, 
also one fiutter of joyful agitation. 

^^Oh, Will, my darling! my precious! I am so thankful 
you are here!^^ 

^^Dear Jane! dear Jane! I knew it was your face!^^ 

And you are no longer nameless and obscure — oh. Will, 
there is so much to tell!^^ 

And Jane held the lovely little creature in her arms and 
kissed- her, slowly and solemnly now. 

That broad, full forehead, the sweet gravity of the lips, 
the wistful brown eyes — they were Doctor Morley^s'own! 

Oh, my own! my own!^^ sobbed Jane West, all the calm 
of her nature broken up. 

Not quite all yours, said Wilhelmine, her sweet face 
dimpling with smiles and blushes. ^^See! here is some one 
else — my husband, Jane!^^ 

And then Maurice came forward, holding out his true, 
honest hands for greeting. 

^^DonT scold us. Miss Jane.' We were so sure of each 
other^s love, and we took the safest way to defy Mathew 
Merle.^^ 

Married! married! you two married P repeated Jane, in 
consternation. 

^^If you are angry I shall never forgive you!^^ exclaimed 
Wilhelmine, indignantly, withdrawing herself hastily from 


258 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


Janets arm^ and leaning trustfully against her husband^s 
shoulder. 

Come up stairs^ both of you. This is better settled now 
than any time.^^ 

And she led the way promptly, where the pale, dismayed 
group still stood, with exulting, defiant Mathew Merle in 
their midst. 

He darted forward at the first sight of Wilhelmine, but 
Maurice fiung his arm around her, and warded off his grasp 
toward her shoulder. 

^^Take care, sir; this lady is my wife. 

^^Your wife!^^ vociferated Mathew, fiercely. ^^What 
fool’s talk is this?” 

^^It is simple, honest truth. Shall I show you the 
recorded certificate of a legal marriage,” was the cool re- 
turn. 

Legal absurdity! the girl is my ward.” 

She has another and better guardianship now, that of a 
husband.” 

Lady Mary had seen and listened, all a-tremble with the 
dawning revelation. 

She took a step toward the fair young creature, clinging 
with such loving trust to the young man^s sheltering arm. 

This girl, this girl,” she faltered, and turned her im- 
ploring eyes from Mathew Merle to Jane West. 

^^You guess rightly. Lady Mary,” the latter hastened to 
say. It is Dr. Morley^s child, your daughter.” 

It was Wilhelmine^s lips which uttered the sharp cry. 
Lady Mary was like a statue of snow, only for the yearning 
love which seemed to hold all the life and warmth of her 
nature in the imploring eyes. The girl had dropped her 
hold upon the young husband’s arm. She sprang forward, 
she dropped on her knees at Lady Mary’s feet. 

The latter bent down and caught her to her heart. 


OCTAVIAS PRIDR 


259 


daughter — oh, my Arthur^s child t It is I who 
should kneel for your forgiveness/^ 

That sobbing transport of pain and joy was too holy a 
scene to be broken upon lightly. 

Only poor old General Wainwright crept away, mutter- 
ing: 

""She is the heiress. She is Arthur^s grandchild. Oh, 
my poor Octavia! What shall I say to Octavia?^'' 

And presently Mathew Merle, after a savage threat to 
Maurice to try the law upon the case, followed after. 

And the earl drew Maurice aside and heard from him the 
whole history, and went pacing to and fro, asking, with 
moody brow: 

""What will be done with Eonald? Oh, how will poor 
Eonald bear to hear of this wretched revelation 

But Lady Mary, holding this daughter, with Arthur Mor- 
ley^s brow, and eyes, and smile, close to her heart, sat whis- 
pering: 

""Heaven is merciful! Such sweet comfort comes out of 
this bitter woe. I will trust that the rest will be ordered 
wisely. Who knoAvs but this girl, this Jane West, will 
marry Eonald, and no harm come to any?^^ 


CHAPTEE XXVIII. 

CAPTAIJS^ LO"S AMAZEMENT. 

Mathew Merle, half-choked with vindictive passions, wild 
in his determination to gain possession of the heiress of 
Waimvright Slope, to procure a legal dissolution of her 
marriage, went posting back to London in furious haste. 

Even his great delight in his song’s return could not dissi- 
pate the black passions Avhich raged in his heart. To think 
how he had planned and plotted, and waited all these 


260 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE, 


years — and now George was come — and this strippling had 
outwitted his spies, and married her. It was well the latter 
did not come within his reach. Even in the midst of his 
fury, he saw how his own cunning overreached itself. He 
never hinted to his agents that such a marriage would ruin 
his plans. He only claimed before them a guardian^s power, 
nor whispered a word of his son^s coming to marry an 
heiress. And this was the result. He cursed his own folly 
and their stupidity, and only soothed his lowering forehead 
when he reached the dock and saw the Comet safely moored. 

He rushed aboard and met one of the owners, who had 
shared his impatience for his son^s arrival. A look came 
• across the man^s face as he recognized him, which went to 
Mathew Merle^s heart like a dagger. E'ow, all at once, his 
fury and rage at baffled plans dropped away before a dead- 
lier pang. 

^^MysonT^ exclaimed he — ^^what has happened to my 
boy?"'’ 

The man brushed his hand across his eyes and called to 
the captain, who, when he knew who it was, came tardily 
and reluctantly, and hemmed, and cleared his voice, and 
choked again, and finally could only falter brokenly: 

It"s very bad, sir. I"m sorry for you, sir. There was 
only two cases aboard, and the other got well nicely."" 

What is it?"" demanded Mathew Merle, hoarsely. 

Your son, sir, was taken down with the cholera before 
we got out of the Hooghly, or rather right down by the 
mouth. We had a doctor from Diamond Harbor, and we 
did everything, but he died the second day."" 

There came no further word of questioning. A con- 
vulsive shivering went through the limbs, the eyes glared 
wildly. Then down at the startled shipmaster"s feet fell a 
stiffened, helpless form. 

They picked him up, worked over him unsuccessfully, 
and then carried him on a stretcher to the hospital. He 


OCTAVIAS PRIDE. 


261 


lived another day and night, hut gave no look or sign of 
consciousness. 

Apoplexy of the brain, the wise doctors announced. 

A cleaving of the man^.s heart, said the honest sailor, 
^^by the very news I brought him.^^ 

The party at Chichester Eookery did not learn the par- 
ticulars of the solemn event for full a fortnight after. 
They had their own somber warning to receive. 

Wilhelmine and her husband had of course remained to 
await the settlement of the unexpected turn of affairs. 
Jane We^ also accepted the earhs earnest if not cordial 
invitation. If she were really the true owner of the 
Falkner property, she had her right, and need not feel 
like an intruder. She had settled her course of action 
without any consultation even with Wilhelmine and her 
husband. 

Lady Mary was singularly free from disquietude. The 
earl was almost angry with her, remembering what awaited 
Eonald^s return. He even ventured to hint that this 
newly found daughter seemed to have stolen away the 
affection her son had held for so many years. 

She looked up wistfully into his face. 

I do not wonder you blame me, Philip, she said, sor- 
rowfully. I have accused myself more than once of hard- 
heartedness in poor Eonald^s case; but somehow I seem to 
feel assured it will be w^ell with him.'’^ 

have sent off a messenger to intercept the yacht if pos- 
sible, and bring them home. I am afraid the poor general 
will wear himself out with fretting before his daughter 
comes. He would have returned home, or to a hotel, but I 
would not listen to the proposition,^^ answered the earl. It 
is a sad business.'’^ 

But it did not need the earPs messenger to waylay the 
yacht; a more terrible summons intercepted it. 


262 


OCT AVI A 8 PBIDE. 


One day there came a carriage dashing in hot haste up 
the avenue. 

Felix Thorne sprang out, and lifted from it OctaviaWain- 
wright, whose face was closely vailed. Her father was 
nervously on the watch, and knew in a moment what the 
arrival was. He hurried out of his room, and his daughter, 
in another moment, flung herself upon his neck. 

Octavia, my darling, oh, my poor Ocfcavia!^^ sobbed the 
old man. How can I tell you all the ruin of our hopes 

She put back her vail, and showed him a grave, pale face, 
but with a new steady light, that he had never seen before, 
in the resplendent eyes. 

^^Papa, dear papa! there is no ruin. I do not know what 
you have heard; but I am happier, truer, better worthy to 
be happier now than I have ever been before. 

Oh, my darling! You cannot marry Lord Eonald!^^ 
Father, Lord Eonald is dead! The yacht was run into 
by a steamer at dead of night. Of all that company flung 
out to the cold waves and the black night, only two were 
lost — a sailor and Lord Eonald. 

The yacht lost! your life in peril P he cried, catching 
her in his arms, and suddenly seeing how small and poor 
was the loss he had hitherto deplored. Heaven be praised, 
you are safe!^^ 

She clung to him, shuddering with the horror of the re- 
membrance of a night of terror, and presently gasped, in 
answer: 

^^It was Felix who saved me. I was by Lord Eonald 
when the spar fell, and went over with him. Oh papa, 
donT ever ask me about it. I came up out of the jaws of 
death, and my old self died, and was buried there in those 
roaring waves. How I shall live another life. I said it 
before I knew Lord Eonald was lost. I told Felix while yet 
he upheld me in the water, knowing not whether we were 
to live or die. I told him then I had always loved him — 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE, 


263 


only him. I made him take off Lord Eonald^s ring. I con- 
fessed all my sin and folly. We absolved each other. We 
said henceforth we would be true^ and honesty and be con- 
tent with the happiness of virtue. We said^ both of us, we 
would have no more to dp with the Wainwright estate, ex- 
cept to hunt for the true heir. We would be poor and 
happy — oh, so happy, papa! for I love Felix, and Felix loves 
me. With my mother's fortune, and what Felix can earn — 
you know what a genius he has — we can make a pretty 
home. Papa, papa, only give us your blessing, and leave 
Wainwright Slope, which was never our right — (oh, papa, 
you know it as well as I, for I read that letter to you from 
poor Arthur's widow) — only come and live with us, and be 
happy, and it is all your Octavia asks." 

She clung to him, weeping softly. Was it his proud, 
haughty, ambitious Octavia? He could hardly realize it. 
But, ah! the unutterable relief — to be spared the heart- 
broken misery he had anticipated ! 

Bring me your Felix!" he cried, triumphantly. You 
know very well I cannot be angry with you or him." 

Still she clung, kissing his hands swiftly. 

But, papa, there is something else. He is more than 
he seems. He is Felix Thorne Middleton — one of the Mid- 
dletons of the odious case, you know." 

If he were twice a Middleton, I have not a word to say, 
except of welcome. He saved my daughter's life, and 
Octavia loves him." 

Now she rose up, jubilant, and yet with a seemly gravity, 
which remembered that the other lover was following up 
the avenue, cold and white, as the cruel waves left him. 

She went out swiftly, and returned in a moment more, 
leading Felix. They knelt together before the old veteran, 
whose blurred eyes could scarcely see them. 

^‘1 am all unworthy such a blessing," said Felix, hum- 
bly. ^^But I have confessed all my sins. I have cast out 


264 


OCTAVIAS PBIDE. 


the evil, and the noble ambition is still left me to deserve 
Octavia^s love, and give best fruition to her pride/^ 

The general let his hands linger long upon the bowed 
heads. 

Heaven bless you! Oh, this is such a blissful ending to 
my fears! But poor Lord Eonald 

He loved me, I think, sincerely, said Octavia. Per- 
haps it is best he is spared this, for it would have come. I 
tore off his ring, even before I knew I should be saved. 

Oh, he is spared even more than this. You are right; 
it is far better he has gone quickly from the knowledge of 
these direful changes.'’^ 

It is for his poor mother I grieve, said Felix. 

Come and see them. Let us finish the story now,^^ said 
the general, and as he led them, he told what had happened 
in their absence. 

Felix and Octavia stretched out their hands in eager 
gladness. 

The true heir is found. How we may rest in peace.” 

They found the countess weeping and wailing over the 
inanimate body of the handsome young nephew, gone by 
such untimely means to his early death. 

Oh, that dreadful omen, Mary! I said you were wrong 
to follow him to the last,” she said. 

Her sister-in-law stood with her thin hands stroking the 
glossy curls which lay so stirless above the marble forehead, 
no tears in the clear, deep eyes. 

My boy, my beautiful boy,” she murmured, as she bent 
down to kiss the cold lips. Heaven has taken you safely 
from out this storm, which might have been too cruel and 
hard for such young shoulders. I bow submissively — I bless 
its decree. I shall come soon, my Eonald, and I have 
learned to trust to Heaven^s mercy and pitiful love.” 

And much to the amazement of her high-born acquaint- 


OCTAVIA^S PRIDE. 


265 


ances. Lady Mary Falkner bore the untimely death of her 
only son with serene trust and saintly fortitude. 

As soon as seemed proper^ the change of owners at Wain- 
wright Slope and Falkner House was made known to the 
public. 

Mr. John Middleton^s astonishment and delight may be 
• imagined when he discovered that, after all, a son of his 
was to reign as master of the old ancestral home. 

He dropped his faith in his elder son^s smartness, and 
transferred his pride to Maurice, although Felix had never 
before so -thoroughly deserved his good opinion. Both 
Octavia and Felix kept their good resolutions, and retained 
their humbled disposition. 

The former hastened to seek out the heiress who had once 
aroused her anger and resentment, to offer not only her sin- 
cere congratulations but her contrition for past injuries. 
The mutual confession of S'elix and Octavia explained the 
mystery which had so cruelly menaced helpless AVill Yarrel. 
Singularly enough, they had each fallen upon the same 
plan, and used the same cloak and cap, which had hung so 
long among the masquerade garments in the old closet of 
the mansion at Wainwright Slope. Only it had been Oc- 
tavia who had guessed out the history of Mathew Merle^s 
niece, and acted promptly in her removal; and it was Felix 
who had rid himself of the unwelcome witness. 

Jane West, in her own quiet fashion, accepted half of the 
Falkner income, and then went her way whither her plans 
had pointed — first to America, to fit herself to be a worthy 
physician in Doctor Morley^s place. Her letters to Wilhel- 
mine and her husband were faithful chronicles of her daily 
life. Afi first she hid her disappointment, but presently the 
indignation of her heart was made known to them. 

‘‘Ah !” wrote she; “this America, free and foremost, as it professes 
itself, in all liberal ways, has not yet emancipated all its serfs. What 


266 


OCTAVIA'S PRIDE, 


think you! when I seek for the light which the physicians of all lands 
ask and obtain — the benefit of older experience, of lecture and experi- 
ment room, the assistance of organized societies — they put me off. 
Because I am more ignorant and unpracticed than the other appli- 
cants ? Nay. I have proved my competence as surgeon and physi- 
cian. Because my aim is low, my character unworthy ? I tell you I 
have brought certificates of my respectability. I have maintained a 
true character, as becomes Doctor Moiiey’s pupil. But it is simply 
this — that I am a woman ! I sat, with my whole heart rising in scorn 
and indignation, the other day, while a circle of grave and learned 
physicians, themselves taking hold of every aid, lent to them by mu- 
tual explanation, and lecture, and society, while they voted down the 
application of a worthy and successful practitioner, who was not a man, 
for admittance into their society. Do you blush for shame at their 
brutal selfishness and lordly love of power, as I did, when I tell 
you they rose in the noble, and dignified, and Christian act, to 
hurrah and shout their congratulations, because — they had voted a 
woman out ! Is this the liberality, the generous magnanimity, which 
Doctor Morley taught me to look for in America ? 

“Dear friends, I am going back to Sydney, to do the best, with the 
limited means allowed a woman’s education, for Doctor Morley’s poor 
convict patients. Heaven bless you with the richest blessings of life ! 
I shall write to you next from my old home in Sydney, where you will 
hear of a free dispensary at Doctor Morley’s house. 

“ Ever yours in love, Jane.” 

I need not say that neither Wilhelmine nor Maurice re- 
pented their hurried marriage. Theirs was a noble, genial, 
and happy home. Lady Mary spent her days with them. 

Felix and Octavia were established in the next town, 
where the former went to work in an energetic and deter- 
mined manner, which augured well for the fulfillment of 
the ge;ierahs prophecy, that he would be the member for 
that borough come ten years. 

It was while on a visit to them that Wilhelmine one day 
rushed away from the arm of her husband in the midst of a 
crowded street, and seized upon the hand of a jovial, con- 
tented-looking individual in blue clothes, and broad Panama 
hat. 


0CTAVM8 PBIDE. 


267 


Captain Leyard, I am so glad to see you. Come this way 
and see my friends — I have told them so much about you."^^ 
Captain Lo opened his eyes and stared in amazement. 

^‘1 beg your pardon, madam. I really ought not to for- 
get such a face as that, but — but 

^^Oh, Captain Lo, have you forgotten poor Will Yarrel?^^ 
^^Holy sailor! Will Yarrel, the poor little fellow! What 
can you tell me about him?^^ 

Come this way and my husband will give you the latest 
intelligence;^^ and the beautiful Mrs. Wainwright (for 
Maurice had taken the old name) retreated, laughing and 
blushing to her husband^s side. 

Great was Captain Lo^s amazement, which was deepened 
to keen delight, when Mrs. Middleton came forward and 
begged his pardon for the deception practiced upon him. 

^^Well, well,^^ he cried again and again. ^^So here^s the 
end of the great mystery that has puzzled me so often to 
look back upon. Who would have thought it?^^ 

And the end likewise, added Felix in a tender whisper, 
stealing a gentle clasp upon the firm, white fingers of his 
handsome wife, ^^of Octavia's Pride.^^ 


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